NY Superstorm Sandy babies' 1st birthdays _ and survival _ are celebrated

Babies celebrate their first birthdays - and survival - at New York University’s Langone Medical Center on Oct 29, 2013, a year after the hospital evacuated more 40 babies to safety on sleds at the height of Superstorm Sandy in New York. On the first anniversary of Sandy, the babies’ parents and hospital staff lighted candles atop cupcakes and sang, "Happy birthday, dear babies." (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik) (The Associated Press)

Helen Chan holds her daughter, Ila Paz, as they join babies celebrating their first birthdays - and survival - at New York University’s Langone Medical Center Tuesday, Oct 29, 2013, a year after the hospital evacuated more 40 babies to safety on sleds at the height of Superstorm Sandy in New York. On the first anniversary of Sandy, the babies’ parents and hospital staff lighted candles atop cupcakes and sang, "Happy birthday, dear babies." While Ila feasted on frosting, and gleefully smeared it all over her face, her mother said, “This is the best meal of her life!” (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik) (The Associated Press)

NEW YORK – When Sandy left much of New York City in the dark, some residents were only hours old.

On Tuesday, the anniversary of the killer storm, babies filled a Manhattan hospital room during a celebration of their first birthdays.

Kenneth Hulett (HYOO'-leht) III weighed only 2 pounds when emergency medical workers rushed him out of a New York hospital intensive care unit. He was carried down stairs while hooked up to an oxygen tank.

His mother, Emily Blatt, says her faith carried her through. She was evacuated from her hospital room on an orange sled.

That day, more than 40 babies were safety moved from the hospital on Manhattan's East Side to other facilities.

On Tuesday, parents and hospital staff lighted candles on cupcakes and sang, "Happy birthday, dear babies."

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