Baby’s family thank Magheragall parishioners for their support

Tuesday April 17th 2007

Little Cameron at three days old, weighing just 1lb 8ozs. The grandparents of a little boy born weighing just 1lb 8ozs have thanked fellow parishioners in Magheragall for their prayers and support.

As our picture (below) shows, Cameron Mann is now six and a half months old and weighs a healthy 9lbs.

Cameron is the first child of Claire and David Mann of Molyneaux Drive, Lisburn, and grandson of Aileen and George Dixon.

He was born 13 weeks early in Craigavon Area Hospital on September 22 weighing less than a bag of sugar. At two days old he suffered a major lung haemorrhage and two weeks later was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal Maternity Hospital.

During this time Cameron had three major surgical operations – a colostomy, heart surgery, and reversal of the colostomy. He also suffered a collapsed lung and several infections.

Cameron is now a bonny - and gorgeous - six months old and weighs a health 9lbs. Granny Aileen was visiting in Taiwan when daughter Claire went into hospital. She flew straight home, and had reached Heathrow Airport when she heard little Cameron had been born.

The weeks and months that followed were difficult for all the family. “During this time there were many occasions when we were not sure whether Cameron would survive,” said Aileen.

“The prayers, good wishes, and thoughts of the rector and parishioners of Magheragall were a great comfort to David, Claire, George and myself.”

Cameron was baptised in hospital at eight days old.

Describing her grandson as a ‘real wee fighter’ Aileen said he finally got home at four months old, weighing around 6lbs.

Wanting to repay the neonatal unit for the wonderful care Cameron had received, Aileen and George organised a coffee morning earlier this year which raised £1,000.

“I would like to thank Nicholas, Bronwen and Claire and the parishioners of Magheragall who attended, supported and made donations to this worthwhile cause,” said Aileen. She added that money was still coming in and the family also intended to make a donation to Craigavon Hospital which cared for Cameron when he was first born.

And Aileen is looking forward to bringing her bonny grandson to meet parishioners in Magheragall now that he is stronger and the weather is warmer.