Joy and Andrew found out in May 2025 that they were expecting their first child. Early scans showed one healthy baby, and they began dreaming about life as new parents.
At their 12-week appointment, everything changed. The doctor shared unexpected news—they were having twin girls. In an instant, their future doubled: double the joy, double the planning, double the love. But that excitement quickly turned to fear. In the same appointment, they learned their daughters had less than a 1% chance of survival.
“We left knowing we could lose our babies at any moment,” Joy shared.
Baby A was diagnosed with hydrops fetalis, a rare and life-threatening condition causing severe fluid buildup around her heart, lungs, and abdomen—putting both babies at risk. Joy and Andrew hadn’t even felt them move yet, but the grief had already begun. Each weekly scan became a moment of hope and heartbreak, waiting to hear their heartbeats.
As the pregnancy progressed, they learned Baby A—whom they named Josie—had serious cardiac complications. The road ahead would be long and uncertain.
At 29 weeks, Joy went into preterm labor and was unexpectedly hospitalized for a week. Living in New Jersey, the couple had to deliver in Delaware to access the specialized care their daughters needed—adding travel, time, and financial strain to an already overwhelming situation. Joy was hospitalized again miles from home, and with critical care, doctors were able to delay delivery until 32 weeks. Andrew was forced to begin his leave early, cutting into both their time and income.
Against all odds, Josie and her twin sister Ellie were born at 32 weeks.
Just ten days later, at barely 3 pounds, Josie went into heart failure and required emergency heart surgery. That same night, she went into cardiac arrest. Miraculously, doctors were able to revive her. In the months that followed, Josie continued to fight through complications including blood clots and sepsis—every ounce of her tiny body refusing to give up.
During this time, their medical team connected them to the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund. The Dolan Fund’s community, made of donors like you, provided critical support by covering their mortgage relieving some financial pressure so they could focus fully on their daughters.
Through it all, Joy and her husband leaned on their community, their medical team, and their faith.
Becoming new parents always comes with challenges—bringing home a baby, navigating new responsibilities, managing costs. But for Joy and her family, there were layers they never expected: long hospital stays far from home, constant medical appointments, lost income, and the emotional weight of fighting for their daughters’ lives.
“There were all the things we didn’t expect to make it harder,” Joy said. “It was so nice to have unexpected help, too.”
After months in the NICU and CICU in Delaware, Joy and her husband were finally able to bring their daughters home this February—ten days apart. A moment they had fought and prayed for since the very beginning.
Supporting the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund means standing beside families like this who are facing some of life’s most difficult moments. Your donation helps provide financial assistance, respite care, and essential support to children with serious illnesses and their caregivers. Every gift brings comfort, stability, and hope when it’s needed most.
