NICU graduates reunite with doctors at Fresno hospital

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hundreds of kids who were once the tiniest patients at Community Regional Medical Center are making huge strides since their time in the NICU.

And in their honor, CRMC held a reunion for the once premature babies and their families. Chick-fil-A, Bobby Salazar's and Panda Express all donated lunches for the more than 1,500 people who attended the reunion. Organizers also offered education services and help for the whole family.

"Every year it's gotten bigger," Diana Cormier with the hospital said. "Of course last year we had quite the boom with five sets of triplets in our unit at one time, so those kids are getting bigger."

One of the attendees is Ryan Ledger, whose son died in the NICU two years ago, but Ledger keeps his son's name alive by giving back to families who are still fighting for their children.

Ethan's hope offers funds for families who are in the NICU for months at a time. Their next memorial golf tournament to help premature babies and their families is November 7 at the Sunnyside Country Club.