Today is World Prematurity Day and Dublin's Coombe Hospital held a 'Gathering of Graduates' to mark the occasion.
Former patients of the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit reunited with the doctors and nurses who looked after them during their difficult first months.
Ali and Taylor were born at 28 weeks - Ali was 1 pound and Taylor was 2. Today the girls both attended the event; healthy and happy.
Their Mum is Andria Dermody;
And this was the response of the girls when asked what was their favourite part of the day;
Those attending were treated to face painting, entertainment, games, a puppet show and a special surprise visit by the Sam Maguire Cup!
Babies born before 37 weeks, and in some cases at 24 weeks or even less, are classed as being premature and many require specialised care in the NICU. Each year, the NICU at the Coombe sees over 1,000 premature babies cared for.
After a stay that varies from days to months in some cases, babies ‘graduate’the NICU and today’s celebration is the first gathering of those ‘graduates’.
