Couple Continues to Fight for a Healthy Baby

No words can describe the excitement that newlyweds Jen and Patrick McGraw felt when they found out Jen was pregnant in December 2010.

And no words can describe the sorrow they felt eight months later, when their baby boy Dylan was born by c-section, weighing 6 pounds and 13 ounces. After two months of surgeries in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, doctors told the Whitefish Bay couple there was nothing that could be done to save his life.

The McGraws took Dylan home in October 2011, and he passed away shortly thereafter.

"Throughout countless blood draws, assessments, diagnoses, and eight surgical procedures, his little body and enormous spirit forgave, and loved unconditionally," Jen wrote in her blog. "...Dylan is the strongest person I know, he fought and fought, but in the end, his little body just couldn’t." 

Despite their grief, the McGraws created a March of Dimes campaign to raise awareness of infant prematurity, birth defects, and infant mortality. In the end, the Devoted to Dylan campaign raised more than $30,000, and was recognized as the top March of Dimes campaign in the state and ninth among March of Dimes campaigns across the country.

About a year later, the McGraws decided to have another baby. About 16 weeks into the pregnancy, they learned their baby boy, to be named Noah Dylan, would have the same genetic issues.

Noah Dylan was born on Jan. 30, and the McGraws had two hours with their baby before he passed away.

Doctors still do not know the cause of the genetic defects, and the cost of the necessary genetic sequencing testing is not covered by health insurance.

Determined to help the McGraws have a healthy baby, the McGraws' family and friends are now raising money for testing that could locate the gene or genes causing the birth issues.

"The money we are raising for them is to help them with any genetic testing that isn't covered by insurance, and then for any expenses that they need in order to bring home a healthy baby," said Elysha Schwach Rice, a coordinator of the fundraiser.

In recognition of the McGraws' Devoted 2 Dylan fundraiser, the fundraiser organized by family and friends is called Devoted 2 Jen and Patrick. So far the fundraiser has raised $9,583.

For more information and to contribute to the fundraiser, visit the Devoted 2 Jen and Patrick website.