From the NICU to March for Miracles

From the NICU to a mission of hope, the story behind March for Miracles is one of resilience, gratitude, and giving back.

Born at just 25 weeks and weighing less than two pounds each, twins Diya and Isha Goel entered the world already fighting for their lives. They spent their first 73 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), surrounded by monitors, ventilators, and a medical team that worked relentlessly to give them a chance at survival. Those early months shaped not only their beginnings, but the purpose that would follow.

What began with uncertainty, fear, and hope inside the NICU has grown into a powerful mission rooted in compassion and community.

In a recent Fox 13 Tampa Bay interview, the founders of March for Miracles shared their family’s deeply personal journey — one that started in the NICU, where days were measured in milestones and miracles came in the smallest forms. Surrounded by constant uncertainty, those early moments left a lasting impression on their family and shaped the values that guide their work today.

“When your child is in the NICU, every day feels like a rollercoaster. You celebrate the little wins, because nothing is guaranteed.”

Life After the NICU

Leaving the NICU was a milestone, but it was not the end of the journey. Like many NICU families, coming home brought both relief and new challenges. Follow-up appointments, therapies, and lingering worries became part of everyday life as Diya and Isha continued to grow.

Over time, fear gave way to strength. The girls reached milestones, started school, and discovered their personalities beyond their earliest medical challenges. What once felt fragile slowly became something strong and full of possibility.

“We went from worrying about survival to watching them grow into who they are today. That perspective never leaves you.”

Growing up, Diya and Isha were deeply moved by the stories their parents shared about the NICU doctors and nurses who cared for them. Even at a young age, they understood that their lives were possible because of compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication. That understanding became the foundation of their desire to give back.

Turning Gratitude into Purpose

Their involvement with the NICU began as soon as they were old enough to take action. For their seventh birthday, instead of receiving gifts, Diya and Isha chose to donate all their presents to the NICU — a small gesture that marked the beginning of something much bigger.

In middle school, that commitment evolved into a nonprofit dedicated to supporting NICU families. Through this early effort, they donated handmade hats, headbands, and blankets to NICUs across Arizona, offering warmth and comfort to premature infants and their families during an incredibly vulnerable time.

“We always knew we wanted to give back to the community that carried us through our hardest days.”

After moving to Florida, Diya and Isha carried that mission with them, co-founding March for Miracles, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on gratitude, resilience, and service. The organization exists to raise awareness for the NICU experience and support families navigating the challenges of prematurity.

Kids Helping Kids

What makes March for Miracles especially meaningful is that the children themselves are at the heart of the mission.

Now fifteen, Diya and Isha play an active role in leading the organization — hosting donation drives throughout the Tampa Bay area, bringing the community together, and supporting NICU families through tangible contributions and advocacy.

“They understand why this matters. This isn’t just something we do — it’s part of who they are.”

Their involvement is a powerful reminder that even the youngest voices can create meaningful change. Children who once needed care are now helping care for others.

Giving Back and Looking Forward

Today, March for Miracles continues to grow, fueled by compassion, community, and the belief that miracles are not just moments of survival, but ongoing acts of care, generosity, and connection.

“If our story can bring hope to even one family walking this path, then it’s all worth it.”

From incubators and hospital hallways to advocacy, awareness, and action, the journey from the NICU to March for Miracles is a testament to what can grow from even the most uncertain beginnings.

This story — like the mission itself — is still being written.

Join the Mission

March for Miracles exists to ensure that no NICU family walks their journey alone. By supporting our work — whether through donations, participation, or simply sharing our story — you help transform fear into hope and challenges into miracles.

Together, we can continue giving back to the families who need it most.

See the full interview at Fox 13 Unscripted with Allie Corey.