kelly gallagher

contributions: founder, organizer, fundraiser

I am the founder of The Superhero Project and have helped hundreds of families during their NICU journey. The Superhero Project was established in 2015, a year after my twin boys were born 8 weeks premature. Their birth changed my life and has given me the strength to in turn help thousands of other families.

I brought the gift of Angel Eye technology, a 24/7 camera system that allows families remote access to see their infants, to hospitals actoss the country. These cameras allow families and hospital staff to work together as a team to care for the NICU infant. ​

My team is committed to changing the exoeience for every NICU family. From admission to discharge, we want families to feel seen and supported every step of the way.

Besides being a passionate philanthropist, I am a busy mom of 4 young children and a full time 4th grade elementary school teacher closing out my 20th year. I am currently pursuing my second masters degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification.

AMANDA DUFFY

Projects:  Lead Contributor, Superhero NICU Graduation + Care Package Coordinator

My name is Amanda Duffy, I am a Registered Nurse, girl mom of 3, NICU mom of 2. My first daughter was born at 34 weeks due to preeclampsia and came into the world with a bang despite being a little peanut weighing only 3lbs 11oz. The NICU rocked our world as it does for most families who take that same course.

Unfortunately due to complications developed during and after birth I was also in the ICU recovering for several days after her birth making it even more difficult not being able to see our baby.

During this time I was gifted a care package with a hand written note from Kelly and The Superhero Project. Words cannot describe the emotions you feel during this time but knowing you’re not alone in this journey meant the world to us. After discharge I connected with Kelly and knew immediately I wanted to be apart of paying this forward knowing how much our family was impacted by this. Fifteen months later we welcomed our second baby girl at 36 weeks who spent 3 quick but stressful days in the NICU. Fortunately for us she was determined to remind us that she is strong but mighty, the reminder we all needed. A few years later we welcomed our third daughter and first child to ever get to come home with us on discharge day and not have a NICU stay.

Now all three of our girls take part in supporting and helping families of the NICU behind the scenes helping prepare and mail packages! I have no doubt they will continue to want to do this as they get older and goes to show that one act of kindness such as this can create a ripple effect in people around you!

KATIE ROBERTS

Projects:  Lead Contributor for Community Outreach + Chillin with Dylan, Board Member

“Miracles come in the smallest packages”

My name is Katie Roberts. I am a NICU mom and I work full time for a Global Real Estate Investment company focusing on Multifamily Development.

I have 4 amazing children, all boys, ranging from 8 to 19 years old. They keep me pretty busy and make my heart melt daily.

My youngest, Dylan, is my NICU miracle. His Apgar score of ‘0’ shocked us all. After being resuscitated and intubated and helicoptered to a different hospital he spent 27 days in the NICU. The first 3 were on a cooling bed. Every day thereafter he showed us just how resilient he was. He was released without any medical intervention needed, however, he has permanent hearing loss in his right ear & focal epilepsy. That doesn’t stop him from running around with his brothers showing them just how tough he is. He truly is our Miracle baby.

Kelly and The Superhero Project has provided an amazing amount of love and support during our journey thus far. This foundation has allowed me and my family to raise awareness for HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy), a type of brain damage that occurs when an infant’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood. With the support of this amazing foundation we were able to raise enough money to get our Hospital a Cooling Bed & bilirubin blankets.

I am so proud to be apart of this foundation and help and support other NICU families. This journey has lots of ups and downs but I want to be here to show these families that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Krystal King

Contributions: BOARD MEMBER, HOSPITAL AMBASSADOR

Hi! I’m Krystal – a wife, daughter, sister and mother of two wild, beautiful babies and a fur baby. I am also a Human Resources Director in the hospitality industry at the Sweetest Place on Earth.

In January of 2023 our youngest, Carter, was born at 33 weeks and spent 19 days in the NICU at the Hershey Medical Center. During that time, we needed to balance time at home with our daughter who was almost two years old. The inability to be in two places at once broke my heart. When we weren’t at Carter’s bedside, we were so grateful for the ability to connect with and see him through the AngelEye camera.

Months after Carter was discharged, I started researching volunteer organizations and events that benefited families in the NICU. I wanted to do something to share my love and support with other families during what can feel like a very lonely and difficult time. When I came across the Superhero Project and read about Kelly’s efforts contributing towards the ability for us to benefit from the AngelEye technology, I was so moved and inspired. I immediately reached out to Kelly and asked how I could get involved.

I’m very grateful to be able to bring a little bit of joy to the experiences of the families at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Lancaster Women and Babies Hospital with the NICU Graduation and Lullabies of Love programs. I’m so excited to continue contributing in even greater ways to support more NICU families in the future!

cassidy klein

Contributions:  Board Member

I work full-time for a global government and infrastructure company, where I manage marketing and events for the infrastructure portfolio. Events have always been a driving passion in my life that started in sports, and which led me to discover the SuperHero Project.
Originally from Southern California, I made the move and attended college in Pennsylvania and now reside in Maryland. I graduated from DeSales University in Center Valley, PA, earning my MBA in Marketing and Project Management (2023) and my BS in Sport Management (2022). During my time at DeSales, I was a four-year collegiate athlete of the Women’s Soccer Team, where I met Kelly Gallagher, a fellow DeSales Women’s Soccer alumni.

The Superhero Project sponsored one of our home games during my Senior season, and from that first introduction, I was drawn to its mission of supporting children and families navigating the NICU journey.

I began with The Superhero Project as an intern (2021–2022), assisting with run-of-show execution for the Annual Gala. Since then, I have continued supporting the annual galas while building meaningful relationships with families and helping bring comfort, awareness, and community to those impacted by the NICU.

BRIDGET M.

PROJECTS:  Mom Division President , Pjs and a Smile + Wrapped in Love

I hold a Doctorate in Biomedical Ethics and currently work for a large pharmaceutical company as an Associate Director, Operations Portfolio Lead overseeing oncology clinical trials in GI and GU therapeutic area. I also am an adjunct professor for Camden County Community College, teaching Bioethics to nursing students.

The job I am most proud of though is that of mom to three little girls: Elizabeth (36 weeker), Nora (33 weeker) and Erin (34 weeker). Having three extremely difficult pregnancies and experiencing the NICU truly shaped who I was not only as a mom but a person in whole. I would like to raise awareness and advocate for mother’s health so that all moms feel comfortable and confident in their new role as a mom of a Superhero. We strive to raise awareness that moms are patients too and deserve that recognition as they are in the process of healing while they are embarking on motherhood. Together we can change the perinatal experience.

ALYSHA ONESTI

Contributions:  Lead Contributor, Wrapped in Love

My name is Alysha Onesti. I am a Mom to three girls, two at home and one in heaven. My daughters are Emmie, Siena, and Cameron. I am an Occupational Therapist and I attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick for undergrad and Jefferson University in Philadelphia for my masters degree. I live in Gloucester County NJ. I have been working as a therapist for a school district in New Jersey for 15 years, primarily with students with Autism.

I first became acquainted with the Superhero Project during my daughter’s NICU stay when they reached out and offered to help my family. My second pregnancy was with identical twin girls who were very sick in utero, with twin to twin transfusion syndrome. In an attempt to get treatment for Siena and Cameron, my husband Matt and I traveled to a world renowned specialist in Florida where we were ultimately too late for surgery. I went into labor and ended up delivering our survivor and our angel at 25 weeks gestation. Cameron gained her wings on the day that she was born. Siena was born weighing 1 pound 12 ounces. After Siena stabilized in the NICU at Wellington Regional Medical Center, 9 weeks after birth, we were having a difficult time getting Siena transferred back to a NICU in NJ. It was at that time that the Superhero Project helped to raise funds and offered to donate additional funds to help get my family home. Siena was eventually transferred via air ambulance to Virtua Voorhees where she continued her 128 day NICU stay. She is now attending preschool and thriving.

I began volunteering with the Superhero Project in 2019. I have been most involved with helping to get Wrapped in Love off the ground by obtaining donations, putting together the packages, establishing relationships with hospitals, and bringing the donations to the hospitals. In addition to Wrapped in Love, I have delivered PJs with a Smile and Kelly‘s Kloset to NJ NICUs.

I value the opportunity to provide support to other families who have suffered the loss of a baby or are currently in the NICU through my role with the Superhero Project.

Salvatore Punturiero

Contributions: BOARD MEMBER

Hi, I’m Salvatore Punturiero, I am a NICU dad. Our beautiful daughter Chloe made her grand entrance into the world at 26 weeks and weighed 1lb 15ozs. She looked tiny and fragile when she was born but her courage, strength and determination helped her push through 84 days in the NICU. She was a true fighter from the start! Most importantly, her twin brother Landon, who we unfortunately said goodbye to just a day after being born, watched over our whole family during the most difficult days at the NICU. Chloe is a healthy and courageous young girl with a personality that lights up a room. I am also a father of two other beautiful and amazing children. Logan and Penelope, together our house became a home full of energy and love.

 In my down time I am one of the founders and Partners of SLPK CPA’s & Consultants. Where we run a full CPA practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

I am honored to be part of such an amazing foundation. I thank Kelly for all she did to start this organization and I am looking forward to helping continue to spread the word and help other families that go through their NICU experience.

Kelly Ross

Contributions: BOARD MEMBER, ALL STAR LABOR CLASSIC

Kelly Ross is the Office Manager and Event Coordinator for the Philadelphia Building Trades Council. In her role, she manages operations and coordinates large-scale events, including the All Star Labor Classic, which has raised nearly $450,000 for The Superhero Project Inc. in just the past two years.

Kelly’s journey to the organization is deeply personal. In June 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she delivered her daughter, Lacey, via emergency C-section three weeks early. Lacey spent her first week in the NICU at Holy Redeemer Hospital. Two years later, in October 2022, Kelly delivered her twin boys, Miles and Cole, at just 29 weeks after being rushed to the same hospital by ambulance. Both boys spent 56 days in the NICU.

Having walked the difficult path of being a NICU mom three times, Kelly felt a strong calling to give back. She has since dedicated her skills and passion to supporting families like her own through her leadership in fundraising and advocacy. As a proud board member of The Superhero Project Inc., she is committed to ensuring that NICU families receive the support, resources, and hope they need during their most challenging moments.

JOE STAMPONE

Contributions: BOARD MEMBER

Joe is the founder and principal shareholder of Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Law since 1984. His practice is focused primarily on complex personal injury matters, including construction accidents, product liability, and medical malpractice including birth injuries and wrongful death. As an attorney with 39 years of experience, Joe continues to actively litigate catastrophic injury cases and has invaluable knowledge and experience of the various systems necessary to ensure elimination of personal injury risks and hazards.

Joe is a graduate of LaSalle University (BA Political Science 1976) and Western New England University School of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate Degree (J.D. 1980). He is a member of the American, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia Bar Associations, as well as the Justinian Society.

Joe is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and the United States Tax Court. Joe has received numerous awards and distinctions including being a Member of the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum; Top Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Lawyers; and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. He has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2005.
Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, Joe currently resides in Lower Gwynedd Township with his wife Julia of 43 years. Joe has five grown children and four grandchildren. www.stamponelaw.com