Meet Our Champions

At 36 weeks pregnant, Ian and Erin’s mother began having contractions. When she turned to CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital, doctors discovered a placental abruption—baby Erin’s placenta was detaching from the womb. The situation was life-threatening for both twins and their mother. Within minutes, doctors performed an emergency C-section to save all three of them. Born weighing just three pounds each, Ian and Erin were rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where they spent their first two weeks fighting to survive. Both required oxygen, feeding tubes, and specialized equipment, like the Children’s Miracle Network-funded Omni Isolette Care Station, which mimicked their mother’s womb to help them grow. They were also treated for jaundice with special phototherapy lights, another resource made possible through donations to Children’s Miracle Network. Throughout their stay in the NICU, the family received constant education and compassion from the staff. Nurses called day and night with updates, taught them how to feed and care for their babies, and even helped them prepare car seats for discharge. The NICU team continued to monitor the twins for months through the Developmental Clinic, where they graduated in a heartfelt ceremony. Early intervention set the foundation for their success. Now 10, the twins are happy, healthy, and active. Erin is a sports enthusiast who loves softball, basketball, and swimming. Ian is a creative performer and dreams of becoming an actor, dancer, or director. Their mom says it best: "Children’s Miracle Network and Cabrini gave my children life. They gave us education, compassion, and a family. I’ll forever be grateful."