“Eoin was our miracle baby. We treasure every single day we had with him”
A Northern Ireland couple are honouring the memory of their “miracle” son by working tirelessly and transforming their grief into hope for others.
The Eoin Henry Foundation was created in memory of Eoin Henry from Kilrea, Co Derry. Diagnosed with cancer in 2016, Eoin sadly passed away on 14th May 2017, aged just 20.
In his father Steve’s words: “Our beautiful son Eoin lost his battle to stay on this earth. He kissed his mother, told her he loved her, and left us. Our lives changed forever.”
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What many don’t realise is that Eoin was also born prematurely. On 16th June 1996, at just seven months gestation and weighing 2lb 13oz, he was delivered by C-section at Altnagelvin Hospital after his mum Veronica developed pre-eclampsia. He spent nine weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before going home at 5lb 5oz.
Every year, over 1,700 babies in Northern Ireland are born prematurely or are sick and require neonatal care.
Eoin was Veronica and Steve’s “miracle baby” after they were told they couldn’t have children. They had earlier lost Eoin’s older brother, Stephen Gerard, who was also born prematurely but sadly stillborn.
Veronica said: “Eoin was our miracle baby and a proud younger brother. He even dedicated one of his tattoos to Stephen. We treasure every single day we had with him.”
Since Eoin’s passing, the Henry family has transformed their grief into hope for others. The Eoin Henry Foundation has raised nearly £700,000 for charities across Northern Ireland, making a lasting difference in Eoin’s name.
TinyLife, Northern Ireland’s premature baby charity, is honoured to receive a £5,000 donation from the Eoin Henry Foundation. This year, the charity was chosen as a beneficiary and invited to attend the Foundation’s Annual Gala Ball at the Culloden Hotel In April where they raised an outstanding £94,488.
TinyLife was founded in 1988 to ensure that every premature or sick baby who starts life in a neonatal unit in Northern Ireland has the best possible start and is supported to reach their full potential.
Their services are delivered across all five health and social care trusts, beginning with support for parents in the neonatal units. Once families are home, TinyLife continues that care with community-based peer support, baby massage classes, and family support visits – all designed to build confidence, ease anxiety, and strengthen the connection between parent and baby.
“The neonatal staff and TinyLife made such a difference – not just for Eoin, but for us as a family,” recalls Veronica. “The premature baby clothes, both knitted and pre-loved, meant so much because nothing we had fitted him. You never plan to have a premature baby.”
“We are deeply grateful for this incredible donation and for the Henry family’s generosity in sharing their story,” added Joanne Morgan, CEO of TinyLife.
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