WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — William Walter has spent the first four months of his life at the NICU inside the Janet Weis Children's Hospital near Danville. He was born at 28 weeks in October, and to his family, William has more than earned the nickname "William the Warrior," but he still has a long road ahead.
"He will be coming home on a ventilator with a trach and a G-tube for, they're thinking, about two years because his lungs are very underdeveloped, so his lungs need time to develop," said Carol Grove, William's great-aunt.
Despite those complications, William's family is eager to bring him home.
"We just trusted the doctors. And staff at Geisinger NICU have been amazing and helping to keep him alive and helping him to grow," said Grove.
William is expected to remain in the NICU until the end of April at least.
Family friends are organizing a benefit for the Walter family. Dozens of area businesses have donated so far, and family members tell us the support is overwhelming.
"I just can't believe that so many people like that want to help, and I mean, they don't even know us and the family, and they're just so willing—it's amazing, "said Madison Grove, William's cousin.
One of those businesses is Acme BBQ Company in Williamsport. Amber Snyder is one of the owners and has been friends with the Walter family for seven years. She says this benefit hits close to home because her brother was also born prematurely.
"Just the little things of social media, just hitting that share button—doesn't matter if you're going or not, just spreading the word, hitting share, getting it out there, that's all that we can ask for," said Snyder.
William the Warrior Benefit will take place on Saturday, April 6, at the Mifflinburg Hose Company.
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