Letterkenny and Coombe NICU fundraiser

We want to raise awareness and give thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff that work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in Letterkenny and Coombe University Hospitals by making a donation to both units.

With the unexpected early birth of our twin daughters in Letterkenny University Hospital on January 3rd at 24 weeks we didn’t know what was ahead of us. Rose weighed 1lb 9oz and Ella weighed 1lb 4oz when they were born. Both Rose and Ella were transferred to the Coombe University Hospital (NICU) in Dublin that night. Unfortunately due to complications Rose only survived 11 days and passed away on the 14th of January. Ella fought a really tough battle with Sepsis, CMV, ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) which required laser eye surgery on both eyes and PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) which required heart device closure surgery. Ella required numerous blood and platelets transfusion.Ella spent 87 days in an incubator being ventilated. Our little warrior got through it all and on the 5th of May after 122 days in NICU in the Coombe Ella got home at 5lbs 14oz.

We want to raise funds for both hospitals to show our appreciation of the great work and support they provided our family during our difficult time. This was made all the more difficult with limited visitations due to COVID-19 but the staff made it that little bit easier with their kind and caring demeanour. We are going to walk/run 122km each (the number of days Ella was in the NICU) in the month of January starting on her birthday 3rd January, this works out as 4/5km a day. We would be very grateful for any contribution towards our fundraiser.

Brian, Thressa & Ella.