A UF group is hoping to receive funding to conduct research for babies born with brain injuries.
This month, the Florida Neonatal Neurological Network submitted an idea in the $50,000 category of the Pepsi Refresh Project. The idea was ranked 194 on Thursday, and it must receive enough votes to rank in the top 10 to receive funding.
The Florida Neonatal Neurological Network is one of 1,147 competing and the only UF campaign for infants in the $50,000 category.
Dr. Michael Weiss and Dr. Craig Sussman formed the Florida Neonatal Neurological Network hoping to improve the lives of babies born with brain injuries across Florida.
In previous years, Shands at UF was the only facility where babies could receive this treatment, Weiss said. Part of the mission of the network is to expand throughout Florida so that more facilities will be able to perform this treatment.
The treatment has been successful in preventing long-term disabilities such as cerebral palsy, hearing and visual impairment and mental retardation for one in eight babies, Weiss said. They are working diligently to increase the success number.
“We want to continue so that we are helping eight out of eight,” he said.
