Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page on iDonate.ie

I have set a challenge of cycling 1,000 km in the month of June for Children's Health Foundation and Friends of the Coombe. "These two hospitals hold a very special place in our hearts - they have saved our twins' lives more times than we can count. We invite you to read their story as you scroll down for a brief insight into the battles our little ones have bravely fought and why we are so grateful."

This will be a massive challenge for me, as I’m not a regular cyclist and have had to borrow a bike for the month. My plan is to cycle from my home village of Ballacolla to Killenard, where I teach. The round trip is 76 km, and I aim to complete it three times a week. I’ll make up the remaining distance on weekends and, hopefully, finish the challenge on my last day of school, the 27th of June.

All funds raised here will go directly to this great cause. I hope you can help me by donating whatever you can. Simply click the Donate button above. All donations are processed securely. You can also share my page using Share options below. This is a great way to show your support.

Ellie and Páidí’s Beginning: A snapshot of their battle for life

We’re writing to share our story—one of fear, resilience, hope, and overwhelming gratitude—and to ask for your support for two incredible hospitals that gave our twins a fighting chance at life.

Ellie and Páidí Kavanagh were born at just 27 weeks, fragile and impossibly small, but already fierce fighters. From early in the pregnancy, we faced challenges. Páidí was diagnosed in the womb with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a condition that caused his tiny heart to race at over 240 beats per minute. The medication to slow his heart was essential—but it came with a terrible cost. The treatment affected Ellie too, and her heart rate began to fall dangerously low.

We were suddenly faced with a heartbreaking decision—but in truth, there was no decision to make. The doctors acted quickly. The twins needed to be delivered to save them both.

They arrived in a whirlwind of urgency, each rushed into separate incubators, surrounded by a flurry of medical staff. While we tried to process the shock of their arrival, the doctors fought to stabilize Páidí’s heart. The first 48 hours were some of the longest of our lives. We watched and waited, feeling utterly helpless as the team tried to find the right combination of medications to bring his heart under control.

Just as Páidí began to show signs of improvement, our attention turned in alarm to Ellie. Only four days old, her tiny stomach began to swell—something was terribly wrong. Within hours, she was on her way to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in an incubator, blue lights flashing on the ambulance that carried our daughter away.

Surgeons quickly discovered that her bowel had twisted—a life-threatening condition that required immediate surgery. A section of her bowel had to be removed. We clung to hope through the longest night of our lives as Ellie was moved into intensive care. The next 24 hours were critical. She was so small, so delicate—but so full of fight.

Ellie showed her strength and was deemed strong enough to return to her brother in the Coombe on Christmas day. Unfortunately, there was a high risk of infection, and within two days, she was started on a course of antibiotics for sepsis. Our attention and worry shifted from twin to twin, as Páidí was still experiencing episodes of SVT and required new PICC lines each time to administer medication. This also carried a high risk of infection, and he too needed antibiotics for sepsis.

Thankfully, the wonderful team at the Coombe acted promptly, and the twins recovered enough to face their next challenges. Our fear for Ellie grew, however, as her bowel still wasn’t functioning properly and further surgery seemed likely. Our consultant in Crumlin was incredibly patient, visiting Ellie in the Coombe and offering his expertise on possible next steps. After ten long days of worry, things finally began to improve.

Our focus shifted once again as the medication that had been working for Páidí was considered too dangerous to continue over a prolonged period and had to be changed. The risk of infection remained a constant concern, as did the recurring episodes of SVT. At one point, our consultant was baffled when Páidí’s heart rate soared to 333 bpm.

Ellie’s next challenge came with another surgery. She was diagnosed with ROP—retinopathy of prematurity—and needed laser eye surgery to correct the growth of abnormal cells that, if left untreated, could lead to blindness. At just two pounds, she returned to Crumlin for yet another ordeal. Our fantastic consultant reassured us, and thankfully, the surgery was a success.

From that point on, Ellie began to grow stronger. After 64 days in hospital, she was finally discharged. Páidí was also making progress but still faced difficulties feeding from a bottle. Eventually, he was transferred to the heart centre in Crumlin, where his consultants could develop a long-term plan to manage his SVT.

Páidí would go on to battle sepsis a second time but, with the help of a specialised bottle, eventually learned to feed properly. He was placed on two medications to manage his SVT as we used a stethoscope to regularly check his heart rate. After spending 104 days in hospital, we finally travelled home as a family of four, on what was the happiest day of our lives.

This was the toughest period we’ve ever faced, made even more difficult by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We can’t thank the staff of both hospitals enough—they are our heroes. We are endlessly grateful for what we’ve been given, and we hope to raise funds to support the incredible, life-saving work that continues in these hospitals every day.

All of this happened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation, fear, and uncertainty added even more weight to an already impossible time. But the compassion, dedication, and brilliance of the staff in both the Coombe and Crumlin carried us through.

Now, we want to give back.

We’re fundraising to support the continued life-saving work happening every day in these hospitals. Every euro raised will go towards helping more families like ours, ensuring that critically ill babies get the expert care and love they need to survive and thrive.

We hope you’ll consider making a donation—no matter the amount—to help us say thank you to the heroes who saved our children.

With deepest gratitude,
Padraic, Teresa, Ellie & Páidí Kavanagh

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/TwinsThankYouTour

Twins Thank You Tour

Created by Padraic Kavanagh

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