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A years-old neonatal nurse at UMass Memorial Medical Center faced a heartbreaking decision when twin sisters Kyrie Jackson and Brielle Jackson—born twelve weeks premature and weighing just two pounds each—were placed in separate incubators.
Brielle’s condition deteriorated quickly: her breathing worsened, her heart raced, and her skin turned blue. In a bold, unconventional move, nurse Gayle Kasparian asked the parents’ permission to place Kyrie beside her sister, hoping the closeness might help stabilize the fragile infant.
Within moments, Kyrie reached out and enveloped Brielle in what became known as the “rescuing hug.” Remarkably, Brielle’s vital signs improved—her breathing steadied and her color returned. The successful intervention not only saved her life but also changed neonatal care practices.
What began as a desperate last-resort gesture has since become a standard method for helping premature twins—a simple display of sibling connection that unlocked extraordinary healing potential.
