Marcus "Deuce" Provost II
Thirteen-month-old Marcus “Deuce” Provost II is a sturdy, active little boy. If someone didn’t tell you, it would be hard to believe that Deuce was born 16 weeks early and weighed only 20 ounces.
With multiple complications related to his premature birth, Deuce faced his most serious trial when he was 7 days old. He developed a serious intestinal condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Following surgery to prevent spread of the infection, doctors let his parents know that things did not look good, and gave Deuce only a 10 percent chance to survive the night. Deuce’s dad, Marcus, told them that he knew Deuce was a fighter and that he would make it! And Dad was right!
Deuce’s mom and dad are thankful for the doctors and nurses who helped their tiny baby.They are also grateful for the blood donors who donated the blood that Deuce received.Deuce’s mom, Nicole, explained that the nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria kept a supply of blood in a cooler at Deuce’s bedside so they could administer the transfusions Deuce needed in tiny amounts every few minutes.
“It just takes a little time to stop in and donate blood and it can help an infant, a child or an adult,” said Deuce’s mother, Nicole Provost.