The uncle of an Armagh boy once described as “the sickest baby in Northern Ireland” is taking on Belfast City Marathon to raise much needed funds for the Perinatal Trust to give back to those responsible for giving his family “hope”.
Little Eolann Keenan was born just over a year ago, in April 2025 to parents Jennifer (nee McKearney) and Liam Keenan. He was their first baby and, as with all new expectant parents, they couldn’t wait to welcome their bundle of joy!
However, on the day of his birth Jennifer – with that uncanny mother’s instinct already kicking in – immediately knew something wasn’t quite right.
Speaking to Armagh I, she explained: “When Eolann and placed in my arms I asked was he ok? Something just felt off as he was a semi-emergency section. I was scheduled for Wednesday April 9, but at my 38 week appointment my consultant decided to schedule my section for the following morning as the pockets of fluid surrounding Eolann had reduced.
“After a lot of reassurance that he was fine, it emerged his lung had collapsed and he was struggling to breathe.”
Jennifer said over the course of the next 12 hours, she and Liam were in a state of “distress”. Eolann was rushed to Special Care and was “keeping everyone very busy pulling out his tubes and wires”.
Already anxious and caught in the most devastating whirlwind, the new parents were dealt an earth-shattering blow that evening.
“We were told Eolann’s situation had worsened and the team from the Royal were coming to get him as they were struggling to keep him alive,” said Jennifer. “At 2am on the Saturday morning Liam and I were asked would we like to get Eolann Christened as they weren’t sure he would survive the transfer to the Royal NICU but if they didn’t try to move him he wouldn’t survive.”
Thankfully, their incredible little warrior made it to Belfast. He had developed a condition called PPHN (Pulmonary Hypertension in Newborns) a condition that comes with a Pneumothorax.
Explained Jennifer of the condition: “His blood vessels in his lungs hadn’t opened properly and he needed Nitric Oxygen Gas that only the Royal NICU had. This helped open the blood vessels, he was on an oscillating ventilator with 100% oxygen pressure, with 100% nitric gas and not getting any better.”
She said that at one stage of their hospital stay, Eolann was referred to as “the sickest baby in Northern Ireland” and had multiple chest drains as the team tried to get the collapsed lung to reinflate.
That Saturday (April 5) Eolann’s oxygen levels had fallen to 50% and below. Both parents’ families were called and they had him christened.
Continued Jennifer: “We spoke to the consultants who told us that due to this desaturation there may be no brain activity if/when he wakes up.
“He came off sedation on Tuesday April 8, and he woke up on April 9. I finally got to hold him for the first time on April 15.”
Then on Easter Sunday, another air pocket had emerged on Eolann’s right lung and he received another chest drain. While the experience continued to be “devasting” for the entire family, Jennifer said the doctors and nurses were “incredible they were on top of it straight away”.
Thankfully his lung did reinflate and the drains were removed. However, an air pocket had “sealed itself on his lung” which meant that when he got home they also needed oxygen at home, which he is still on at night.
Eolann continues to fight to this day but Jennifer says he surprises doctors and nurses at every appointment, adding “he truly is a very special boy”.
She cannot put into words her gratitude to the medical professionals who fought so tirelessly to save their son and for their endless care and compassion to both herself and Liam throughout the process.
Summarising her experience, she said: “The support explaining things to me and Liam about his conditions and keeping us up to date every morning, evening and night before the next shift was amazing.
“There was a lady who would have went in every morning and checked on babies in Neonatal and text parents to give a little update/reassurance to parents before they arrive on how their wee one got through the night.
“It really is the small things, the reminders to eat and sleep as you body goes into auto-mode. The standard of care was incredible for both families and little ones.
“It’s an extremely emotional, traumatising and scary situation to be in for parents. To have nurses who care about your wellbeing and care for your child is remarkable.”
And the thanks to the team at the NICU goes beyond Jennifer and Liam… as Eolann’s uncle, Eoin McAnuff (43) has now vowed to complete the Belfast City Marathon as a fundraising attempt to their benefit.
This will be Eoin’s first marathon since running the Dublin Marathon 13 years ago, in 2013.
He has been training for the last six months, using the Runna app as his guide.
He said of the marathon: “I know there will be tough moments, especially when I inevitably hit the wall around mile 22 but knowing that every pound raised is going to such an important cause will keep me pushing forward.”
All funds raised will be in aid of the Perinatal Trust NI. Jennifer says “times are difficult for people” so they have not set a concrete target and instead remain whole-heartedly grateful for every penny for this “vital charity” and to and raise awareness of the work they do.
Said Jennifer: “As much as we hope that no one is ever in our shoes, the reality is much different.
“There was never an empty cot and little babies are fighting for their lives every day. Eolann wouldn’t be here without them.
“Liam and I are forever grateful and whatever we can raise we know is going to the place that gave us hope and gave us Eolann back.”
You can make a contribution to Eoin’s Belfast City Marathon fundraiser via JustGiving here.
