Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital (BKOCH), a Children's  Miracle Network (CMN) hospital, has announced brothers Jonas and Josiah Seabrooks have been named as CMN  Champions for central Georgia. 

Twin boys Jonas (4lbs. 1oz.) and Josiah (3lbs. 15oz.) were born prematurely, but seemingly healthy and happy in  December 2013. On their third day in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at BKOCH, Jonas was diagnosed with necrotizing  enterocolitis, a serious intestinal disease that occurs when tissue in the intestine is injured or inflamed. As a result, the  intestine can no longer hold waste, allowing bacteria to pass into the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.  Jonas underwent surgery to remove a portion of the infected intestine After several months in the Neonatal ICU, both  Jonas and Josiah were healthy enough to go home. 

“The nurses were my angels. I don’t think I could’ve made it without them,” said their mother, Kimberly Seabrooks. Today, Jonas and Josiah are healthy, active elementary schoolers who enjoy playing soccer. 

Each year, CMN hospitals nationwide are invited to submit the story of a child treated in their children’s hospital. The child  is nominated locally by doctors, nurses and child life specialists. Once selected, this child is identified as their local CMN  Champion and serves as an ambassador for all of the children treated locally. The goal of a CMN Champion is to speak  on behalf of their children’s hospital, to encourage local CMN partners in their fundraising campaigns and to promote  awareness of the charitable needs that exist in children’s hospitals. 

Given the boys’ experience, it was only fitting for both to be named CMN champions for BKOCH. 

“Having a child share their experience at Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital is one of the most powerful ways to  teach donors about what it’s like being in the children’s hospital. Their story inspires the audience and connects a donor to our mission to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing for all children,” said Renee Bryan, development officer  and CMN program coordinator at Navicent Health Foundation. 

For more information about how Atrium Health Navicent is caring for children, visit childrenshospitalnh.org.