KXAN Meteorologist Joined NICU Read-a-thon
The Austin news team supported Dell Children’s Medical Center by reading books to infants in the unit.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Philanthropy
KXAN meteorologist Kristen Currie participated in a read-a-thon at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin this September. The event focused on providing vital verbal and language exposure to babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Why it matters
Reading aloud to infants in critical care settings is a proven method to promote language development and sensory bonding during early growth. Hospitals nationwide organize these initiatives to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable patients.
The initiative spanned the entire month of September 2026 across various U.S. facilities. The program currently relies on donations of new and gently used books to maintain inventory for NICU patients.
The players
Kristen Currie
She is a meteorologist for the Austin-based television station KXAN.
Dell Children’s Medical Center
It is a prominent pediatric hospital located in Austin that provides specialized care for children and infants.
KXAN
This is a local television station serving the Austin metropolitan area.
The details
Participants like Currie visited the hospital to read directly to infants, helping to facilitate critical verbal engagement. The hospital also solicited book donations to ensure a steady supply of reading materials for families and staff to use in the NICU.
Timeline
The read-a-thon events occurred throughout September 2026.
Market Landscape
This local event aligns with the national trend of medical facilities integrating literacy programs into neonatal care. Such initiatives help hospitals build community support while enhancing the specialized services they offer to families.
Local residents looking to contribute to the hospital can donate new or gently used books for NICU patients. Supporting these programs directly impacts the available resources for families during their stay in the unit.
The takeaway
Literacy-based care demonstrates that community involvement can significantly improve the environment for hospitalized infants. Parents can implement similar reading routines at home to support continued language development.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to support health services in the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
