Demetris Washington
Sponsor: Wornel Simson

Hawaii
Devin (Age 9)
Premature Birth

Sometimes the best things in life come in small packages. Donna and Rory of Kaneohe, Hawaii, can say that about their son, Devin, who was born 3 1/2 months premature. At 24 weeks Donna started having labor contractions, and three days later Devin was born at only 13 weeks weighing 1 pound, 14.9 ounces.

Devin spent three months in the NICU at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children. He was on a ventilator for eight weeks and fought numerous bacterial, fungal, lung, blood and bladder infections. He had several blood transfusions and underwent multiple surgeries.

“He was perfect on the outside but not on the inside. He was given only a 50 percent chance of survival and possible life-long medical problems if he survived,” said Devin’s mom, Donna. “For months nurses, doctors and respiratory technicians at Kapi’olani Medical Center cared for my baby. They are the reason my baby is alive. They were there to comfort me and give me hope when I was at the lowest point in my life.”

Today, despite his rough start to life the future looks bright for 9-year-old Devin. He plays soccer and enjoys swimming with his brothers.