Athens parents honor newborn son, help NICU families

Athens, Ga. (September 28, 2026) – Every moment mattered to Andy and Jordan Paul. When their son, Jonah, was receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Piedmont Athens Regional, the young parents cherished every opportunity to be by his side, holding his tiny hand, and simply being together as a family.

The Pauls are sharing Jonah's story during NICU Awareness Month in September to honor his memory, celebrate the caregivers who supported them, and shine a light on the challenges many NICU families face

During Jordan's pregnancy, absent end-diastolic flow in the umbilical artery restricted blood flow to Jonah and severely limited his growth. Born at just 27 weeks, he had an extremely low birth weight and later died from complications of prematurity because his organs were not fully developed. After his death, Andy and Jordan began looking for a way to honor the brief but profound impact Jonah had on their lives. They found that opportunity through the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation, establishing the Jonah Paul NICU Family Fund to help other families stay close to babies receiving care in the hospital's NICU.

"We would have given anything for more time with Jonah, and we're grateful for every moment we had with him," the Pauls said. "Staying in a guest house at the hospital allowed us to focus on what mattered most, being with our son. We never had to worry about whether we could make it back to the hospital in time. Through this fund, we hope other families can spend every possible moment with their babies and feel supported during one of the hardest experiences of their lives."

For families whose babies require specialized care, days often turn into weeks or months at the hospital. A nearby place to rest can provide comfort, stability, and precious additional time together when every moment matters.

The Johah Paul NICU Family Fund will help ease the burden on families navigating a NICU hospitalization by providing a safe, nearby place to stay in the hospital’s guest houses.

“Jonah's life, while far too short, continues to make a meaningful difference through the generosity of Andy and Jordan," said Steven Dasher, executive director for the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation. "This fund is a beautiful reflection of a family's love for their son and their desire to support others walking a similar path. By helping families remain close to their babies, Jonah's legacy will provide comfort, hope, and togetherness when it is needed most."

Donations to the Jonah Paul NICU Family Fund help provide guest house accommodations for families with babies receiving care in the NICU, giving parents the opportunity to remain close to their child during a critical time. To learn more about the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation and giving to the fund, visit  Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation | Piedmont Healthcare or email athensfoundation@piedmont.org.