Niswonger Children's Radiothon happening March 6 & 7 to help kids like Harrison
Like many parents, Haley and Nathan Magstadt were excited about the birth of their first child. But unlike most, instead of wishing their delivery date would come quickly, the Magstadts were just hoping to keep baby Harrison in the womb as long as possible, explained Haley.
'I'd had complications prior to delivery and we were itching to get to 24 weeks,' she told News Channel 11.
Twenty-four weeks along in a pregnancy is widely considered the age of viability, but little Harrison arrived at 23 weeks and five days, weighing just 1 pound and 8 ounces.
Haley said she was thankful Harrison was immediately treated at Niswonger Children's Hospital.
'They jumped right in and they said, 'you know, he's early. Things are not ideal for someone that early, but we're going to do what we need to,'' Haley remembered.
As expected, as a micro preemie, Harrison had several issues and spent ten weeks at Niswonger Children's Hospital–where he was treated for a grade-four brain bleed, retinopathy prematurity, and an intestinal infection called necrotizing enterocolitis, which led to surgery removing much of his bowels.
But now at age 7, Harrison has a zest for life, a passion for playgrounds and a love of music.
Haley says it wasn't just the expert medical care Harrison received that they remember from their time at Niswonger Children's Hospital, but the way the medical staff treated them.
'There were plenty of times that we were aware that something was wrong and concerned about that, and the doctors would take the time, either bedside or we would have weekly meetings, daily meetings if needed, where they would take us to another room to be able to have those conversations and better understand what was going on,' Haley said.
Harrison is still treated by various specialists at the hospital and the Magstadts say having a regional children's hospital is priceless.
'It was a world of difference when you have a staff that understands children and how to work with them and have the resources, even with child life specialists in therapy dogs, all the different things that make that experience much more comfortable for the kids,' Haley said.
Now pregnant with their second child, the Magstadts know that nothing is guaranteed with children, and are they forever grateful that Niswonger Children's Hospital is here, if needed. She encourages everyone to give what they can during the annual Radiothon.
'You never know when you'll need it,' she reminded potential donors. 'You can have a full-term baby that's in need of care. You could have a micro preemie like we did. I can't imagine what it would have been like if we didn't make it in time and didn't have somewhere close enough that would have been able to take care of him and keep him alive–because that's what they did.'
To donate now, text KITE to 51555. Tune into News Channel 11's coverage of the Niswonger Children's Radiothon on March 6 and 7 to donate, as well.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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