RAPID CITY S.D. (KELO) — Monument Health in Rapid City announced a $2 Million grant from Helmsley Charitable Trust this afternoon.

This grant will help Monument Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“20 pieces of equipment that are really life saving pieces of equipment. So that we can keep the really sick babies born in our region here so they don’t have to transfer to other places.” Executive Medical Director Dr. Kyle Lemley said.

This life-saving equipment has already been purchased, and has helped families including the Millikens whose daughter was in the hospital at 6-weeks old.

“It was amazing, we both have family and the amount of support of people coming in and out was amazing. My husband was able to stay and work, I’m a stay at home mom so I was able to stay with my other daughter as well and take care of her. So it was just a great feeling.” Mother Abbie Milliken said.

Without these new transport incubators, a 24-hour EEG machine and other new medical devices, families would be sent to hospitals up to 350 miles away.

“I’m a really big proponent of having your support group with you and close to you. So the more patients we can keep in town and keep the support group here is great. Extended family a lot of times in Rapid City is also here so you don’t disrupt the family unit.” Dr. Lemley said.

“I think it’s amazing, I think it will benefit a lot of parents, a lot of families to stay close to their loved ones like it did for us.” Milliken said.