A former nurse donated more than 80 pairs of leggings to WellSpan’s York Hospital this past weekend to thank the medical teams who took care of her NICU baby.
Katelyn Alban of Dover is a stay-at-home mom to five kids, but the former Baltimore-area LPN who has been selling LuLaRoe leggings for about four years had a friend ask about discounted leggings for care providers. Many nurses and other care teams wear the leggings under their scrubs to help with infection control when they change clothes between going to and from work.
Katelyn decided she could do more than just discount the leggings; she ordered about 100 pairs to donate. She then asked her customer base if they would sponsor leggings to donate, and she’s been able to give away about 300 pairs of leggings across hospitals in York County, as well as Maryland and Florida, with more orders on the way.
Her sponsors go beyond her customers. The motorcycle club Unusual Suspects – which is made up of retired military, police, and firefighters (including her father) – has also made donations toward her initiative.
Katelyn doesn’t profit from any of the sales, she says. Every cent goes into ordering more leggings.
Personal connection
About 80 leggings were donated to WellSpan York Hospital because Katelyn says the hospital holds a special place in her heart. Her 1-year-old son Maverick was born via emergency cesarean section at another hospital, but because he struggled to breathe, the two were taken to WellSpan York Hospital within 10 hours of his birth.
Katelyn says she’s “forever grateful” that she was able to stay with her son, who is chronically ill. He was actually in WellSpan York Hospital for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus and double pneumonia when she made her recent donation.
“I needed to give back to WellSpan for everything they’ve ever done for my family,” Katelyn says. “I have the ability to bless them as they are blessing everyone else right now. It will be a reminder to them that someone cared and appreciated all they did.”
Future donations
Katelyn plans to donate an additional 80 leggings to WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital and is still accepting sponsorships for additional leggings. Those interested in helping Katelyn with her donations should reach out to her at lularoekatelynalban@gmail.com.