Two Galway babies raise thousands of euro for Neonatal ICU

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galway daily news babies present money to icu at uhg in galway
AJ and Dylan’s Galway NICU fundraiser cheque presentation to staff of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UHG, from left: AJ Moran with his mammy Jessica Galligan from Athenry; Dr Johannes Letshwiti, Consultant Neonatologist; Anne Duignan, Neonatology Physiotherapist; Irene Glynn, Clinical Nurse Manager2, NICU; and Dylan Browne with his mammy Anne McLoughlin from Salthill.

One-year-olds AJ Moran and Dylan Browne have donated thousands of euro to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Hospital Galway.

They raised almost €7,300 for a family room at the NICU in a fundraiser organised by AJ’s parents, Jessica Galligan and Tony Moran, and Dylan’s parents, Anne McLoughlin and Billy Browne.

Dylan Browne from Salthill arrived on 5 April 2020 at 32 weeks’ gestation weighing 3 pounds 12oz in the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin.

After four days, Dylan was transferred to the NICU in Galway where he spent around a month in the care of the doctors and nurses.

A day later, AJ Moran from Athenry was also born in the National Maternity Hospital at 28 weeks’ gestation weighing 2 pounds 11 oz.

AJ was transferred to the NICU at UHG two weeks later, where he spent a total of five weeks.

AJ’s mum Jessica Galligan said: “During the time we spent in the NICU in Galway, both myself and Anne recognised the need for a family room which would give parents a space to take much-needed respite during the long difficult days on the unit.

“This prompted us to organise the fundraiser and I’m delighted to be here today to make the presentation of €7,280 to Dr Johannes Letshwiti, Irene Glynn and Anne Duignan who work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”

Dylan’s mother Anne McLoughlin said that during their time in the unit, the boys received exceptional care from an incredible team of medical professionals.

“Both our families will be forever grateful,” she said. “The boys are now happy, healthy one-year-olds who are full of mischief.”