IDENTICAL twins Jordan and Taylor Johnson know firsthand the importance of neonatal intensive care units.
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The pair, now 22, were born eight weeks premature at John Hunter Hospital.
Both had complications that saw them rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit.
They were born with Hyaline Membrane Disease - a respiratory disease in newborns where proteins and dead cells line the lungs, making breathing difficult or impossible.
Jordan did not take his first breath until two minutes after he had been delivered.
Taylor was able to breathe on his own, with difficulty, but required a blood transfusion.
The pair spent two weeks in intensive care and a further three weeks in the special care unit until they were strong enough to go home.
Jordan, who lives in Eleebana with his brother, said the work carried out by doctors and nurses in neonatal intensive care units was vital.
‘‘I think it’s really important when you consider that neither of us would be here today if it wasn’t for the people at NICU,’’ he said.
It was this gratitude that drove the pair to participate in the Charity Drift Dive, an annual diving event that raises funds for John Hunter Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.
The experienced rescue divers joined about 130 others on Saturday at the Swansea Channel.
They were part of the 27-strong Newcastle University Diving and Exploration Society team that raised more than $6000, contributing to an overall tally of about $15,000.
It was the twins’ third year in the event.
■ Donations are still open. Go to charitydriftdive2015.everydayhero.com/au/nudes to donate.