On June 10, 2020, Anne-Marie went to Sainte-Justine for what she thought would be a routine checkup at 27 weeks of pregnancy. She could not have anticipated that within three days, she would give birth. That routine visit quickly became a critical moment, as medical teams identified that her twins, Jules and Alexy, were in danger due to Twin Anemia-Polycythemia Sequence (TAPS), a rare condition affecting blood flow in the placenta. The diagnosis prompted urgent care and set in motion a complex medical journey for the family.
“The care we received—for Jules, Alexy, and myself—was exceptional. The human approach of Dr. François Audibert made all the difference,” recalls Anne-Marie. “For the staff, it was their daily work, but for us, it was the challenge of a lifetime.” Her words highlight not only the medical expertise involved but also the compassion and support that made an otherwise overwhelming experience more bearable.
Following their early and complicated birth, the twins required specialized care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Because each twin needed different medical interventions, they could not initially remain in the same room. The separation was difficult for the family, who longed for the twins to experience the comfort of being together, side by side. However, the NICU teams worked tirelessly to monitor, treat, and support both Jules and Alexy, providing around-the-clock care that ensured their survival and gradual growth.
The first months were marked by both challenges and small victories. Each day brought progress—stabilizing vital signs, improving feeding, and gradually gaining strength. Every movement, every response from the twins, was a moment of hope. For parents like Anne-Marie, the NICU environment can feel overwhelming, filled with monitors, tubes, and procedures, but the dedication and empathy of the healthcare teams provide reassurance that their children are receiving the best possible care.
After two months of intensive monitoring and treatment, Jules and Alexy were finally reunited. The moment was a celebration for the family, who had waited anxiously to see their children together again. Watching the twins side by side, sharing comfort and warmth, was a powerful reminder of both their fragility and resilience. The reunion marked not just a medical milestone, but a deeply emotional victory for the family, who had navigated countless moments of uncertainty and fear.
Altogether, Jules and Alexy spent 104 days at Sainte-Justine, a period that required constant vigilance, patience, and compassion from both medical staff and their family. Their story illustrates the extraordinary challenges of caring for premature and medically fragile infants, as well as the strength of children and families facing these circumstances. Despite the difficulties, the twins’ progress demonstrated the impact of expert medical care, teamwork, and the human touch that accompanies every NICU intervention.
The journey of Jules and Alexy would not have been possible without the generosity of donors. Contributions to Sainte-Justine allow medical teams to develop innovative treatments, provide advanced equipment, and ensure that families receive the support they need. Donations make it possible to create a gentler, more nurturing environment, giving children like Jules and Alexy a better start in life and parents the reassurance that their children are being cared for with skill, compassion, and dedication.
Today, both twins are on a path toward growth, health, and future milestones that will continue to bring joy to their family. Their story is a testament to resilience, hope, and the profound difference that specialized neonatal care can make. It is also a reminder that while the first days of life may be fraught with medical challenges, with expert care and community support, children can begin life with a foundation of strength and possibility.
For Anne-Marie and her family, the experience will never be forgotten. The dedication of Sainte-Justine staff, the empathy of Dr. François Audibert, and the generosity of donors have transformed what could have been a time of fear and uncertainty into a journey marked by care, courage, and small triumphs. Through their perseverance, Jules and Alexy have had a start to life that balances medical excellence with the warmth and human connection every child deserves.
💛 Thanks to donors, children like Jules and Alexy can receive the care they need, ensuring a brighter, safer, and more joyful beginning to life, even in the face of extraordinary medical challenges.
Charlie’s Journey Through Diagnosis and Hope.2014
When Rebecca and her partner were expecting their third child, everything felt reassuringly familiar. After two smooth pregnancies, she looked forward to welcoming baby number three with excitement and confidence. But at her routine 20-week scan, the course of her pregnancy unexpectedly shifted. A careful sonographer noticed that the baby’s pulmonary artery appeared narrower than normal—an observation that would become life-changing. Trusting her instincts, she referred Rebecca for a fetal cardiology assessment.
At just 24 weeks, Rebecca and her partner heard the words no parent expects: their baby had Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition involving four structural abnormalities. The fetal cardiology team detected each defect clearly, offering a complete diagnosis long before delivery. Fear settled in immediately. “It was a shock,” Rebecca remembers. “We didn’t know what to expect.”
But as the initial fear softened, gratitude began to take its place. Early detection gave them time—time to prepare emotionally, time to learn, and time to ensure every specialist needed for Charlie’s birth was ready. When Charlie arrived, the delivery was calm, controlled, and surrounded by professionals who understood exactly what he needed. After birth, he spent time in the NICU but appeared stable enough to go home sooner than expected.
At five weeks old, however, everything changed again. Charlie began experiencing Tet spells—sudden episodes where oxygen levels drop dangerously low, leaving babies breathless and blue. For any parent, such moments would be terrifying; for Rebecca, they were terrifying but not unfamiliar. Because of the early diagnosis, she knew what to look for, how to respond, and when to call for help. She had guidance, support, and a community of professionals already standing behind her.
Living in Northern Ireland meant cardiac interventions required travel to Dublin. By August 2025, it was clear Charlie needed a procedure. Too young for full repair, he underwent an RVOT balloon procedure in the cath lab to widen his narrowed pulmonary artery. The surgery went smoothly, and Charlie recovered well, allowing the family to return home with renewed hope.
Home, however, brought new challenges. Charlie struggled with severe reflux and feeding distress, leading to several hospital stays in Belfast. Eventually, he required an NG tube for feeding. Though exhausting and emotionally draining, Rebecca saw her son gaining weight slowly but surely—a testament to Charlie’s resilience and the unwavering dedication of his family and care team.
By early November 2025, Charlie—now four months old—was finally ready for his full cardiac repair in Dublin. The operation was successful, marking a powerful turning point in his journey. Since then, Charlie has been recovering steadily, growing stronger each day.
Rebecca looks back on the experience with a mix of fear, pride, and deep gratitude. “This has been an extremely challenging time,” she shares. “But early detection made all the difference. Without that 20-week scan, we might never have known about Charlie’s heart defects until it was too late.”
Communities like Tiny Tickers became an essential source of strength for her. Reading stories from other heart families created a sense of connection and comfort during the toughest moments. “It reminded me we weren’t alone,” Rebecca says. “There is always hope, even in the most uncertain times.”
Today, Charlie is thriving—a recovering baby whose journey has strengthened his entire family. Rebecca emphasizes how crucial careful prenatal scans and vigilant sonographers are. “Our gratitude for the sonographer at our 20-week scan is beyond words,” she says. “Because of her, we were able to act early and give Charlie the best possible chance.”
Charlie’s story is one of uncertainty transformed into preparation, challenge transformed into resilience, and fear transformed into hope. Through every scan, every appointment, and every sleepless night, he has shown his family that immense courage can live inside even the smallest hearts.
For Rebecca and her family, Charlie is a reminder that with early detection, informed advocacy, and unwavering love, even the most fragile beginnings can grow into powerful stories of strength—and that the smallest fighters often carry the greatest courage of all.