From Isolette to Inspiration: Ian’s 1,000 Cranes of Hope
In 2008, Ian Ekatomatis entered the world at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center—born at just 25 weeks and weighing only 1 lb, 11 oz. Like many preemies, his journey began in our NICU, surrounded by machines, compassionate caregivers and a community of support.
Sixteen years later, Ian is a rising 12th grader at Urbana High School in Frederick County and an International Baccalaureate (IB) student. As part of the IB program’s long-term service project, known as CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), Ian found a meaningful way to give back to families walking a journey similar to his own.
“I wanted to make 1,000 paper cranes for NICU families,” Ian shared. “It’s a Japanese tradition that symbolizes a wish for long life, health and good luck. I hope these cranes bring encouragement and remind parents that a strong future is possible for their baby.”
In the summer of 2024, Ian began folding with a goal of completing at least 250 cranes by the start of school—and eventually all 1,000 over the course of the year. He plans to deliver them in batches to the NICU, ensuring that each family receives this small but powerful gesture of hope.
His inspiration? The kindness his own family received during his NICU stay. “My parents still have the little quilt that was donated to cover my isolette. It’s more than just a blanket—it’s a symbol of how far I’ve come.”
Ian and his parents attended our 2024 NICU Reunion, where he shared many of his cranes with families and even taught a few NICU grads how to fold their own.
We are honored to see one of our tiniest former patients growing into a compassionate young adult—committed to bringing comfort, connection, and courage to others.
