Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, and as expectant parents, knowing you both played a big part in creating the life of your child is an overwhelmingly joyful feeling.

Dan and Jenna Haley were over the moon when they learned they were to become parents, anxious to meet their little one.

Photo Credit: Prayers For Shane FB Page
Photo Credit: Prayers For Shane FB Page
Their excitement, however, was dampened when they discovered their unborn son, Shane, suffers a complex neural defect called Anencephaly, which occurs in approximately one in one thousand pregnancies.

Babies with Anencephaly are born without parts of the brain and skull and are anticipated to live up to a few hours (even days) after birth, but there are some rare cases where children with this illness have lived for a little over a year.

Photo Credit: Prayers For Shane FB Page
Photo Credit: Prayers For Shane FB Page
Since the Haleys know their son’s life-span will be greatly shortened, they decided to create a large bucket list of things to do with their baby while he’s still comfortably situated in his mother’s tummy.

“Most families wait until their baby is born to start making memories and traveling to places with them,” Dan said. “We understood what it was and knew that our time with our son could be very limited, so we wanted to make the most of the time that we had with him.”

Knowing their time with baby Shane is precious, they were inspired to do all the things they always wanted to do with their son someday. So they made a list of their favorite places and activities, determined to check as many items off the list as possible before Shane is born.

The brave couple created a Facebook page, “Prayers For Shane,” so their family, friends, and anyone interested can track the activities of the Haley family. Although the page was only created in early August, nearly 300,000 people are already following their incredible journey.

Due to their jealous determination to finish the entire “baby bucket list,” they checked off their last item on September 6.

Photo Credit: Prayers For Shane FB Page
Photo Credit: Prayers For Shane FB Page
Baby Shane, due October 12, has already been to all of his parents most sentimental settings and done more than most babies have a chance to do when they’re young. He’s been to New York, the top of the Empire State building, numerous sporting events, met the Phillies team, hung out at the beach, and Wildwoods, NJ, where he enjoyed his very first Ferris Wheel ride – and those are just some of the activities they got up to.

Dan and Jenna are truly enjoying every single moment they have with their little boy, appreciating the fragile nature of life more than ever before.

“We truly value every minute that we have with our son,” he said, “and we thank God every night for blessing us with such a special little boy.”

Here is Shane’s bucket list, according to 6ABC News:

Cape May County Park Zoo in Cape May, NJ
Philadelphia Zoo
Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ
9/11 memorial in New York City
Statue of Liberty
Empire State Building
Times Square
Central Park
Strasberg Rail Road near Lancaster, PA
Beach in Wildwood, NJ
Beach in Cape May, NJ
Rehoboth Beach in Delaware
Dewey Beach in Delaware
Phillies game
Philadelphia Flyers game
Meet the Phillies
Meet the Flyers (including Claude Giroux)
Dad’s Delco league baseball games (championship)
Ocean City, MD boardwalk and games (old time photo)
Rides at the pier in WIldwood, NJ (including Ferris wheel)
Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia
Shrine at St. Rita church in Philadelphia
Geno’s Steaks in Philadelphia
Spruce Street Harbor Park in Philadelphia
Zac Brown Band concert
Linvilla Orchards in Media, PA
Uncle Jim’s baseball game at Penn State
Ashbridge Memorial Park in Bryn Mawr, PA
Cape May Lewes Ferry in Lewes, DE
Franklin Institute in Philadelphia
If you would like to learn more about the Haley’s story and follow them on this unique journey, check out their Facebook page, Prayers For Shane.

Here is a recent interview from 6 ABC News where the Haleys respond to the overwhelming support they’ve received from their bucket list adventure:


Share Video
Dan and Jenna have displayed such courage and love for Shane, inspiring many around the world. May they serve as an incredible reminder to all of us to live out every day to its fullest potential. Life is so very precious, and we should never take it for granted – ever.