Help Kaiser and Mac Cystic Fibrosis
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I want to introduce you to an incredible family. The dad is a full time student, coaches junior high basketball and football and in his spare time runs his own window washing business. Not to mention he is a veteran and actively serves in the National Guard. Any extra minute he has available he dedicates to his wife and kids.
The mom is an incredible photographer and mom to three beautiful children ages 6 and under. She works hard for her family always bettering herself and home for their benefit. Children are something she has fought long and hard to achieve. All three of them have been absolute miracles and answers to prayers.
This story really is about the third baby. A sweet little girl named Mckenna. After two rowdy boys, she was a breath of fresh air. I remember when her mom called to tell me that she had been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. They were confused and did not know where this journey would take them. Thankfully, with many great doctors and specialists they are on a good road to treating Mckenna. Part of this journey includes surgery to install a feeding tube in her stomach. This will allow her to receive the desperately needed nutrients her body needs to grow and function.
It is with great humility that I want to reach out to the world, our friends and family and those of the Miller's to help them with any additional costs that insurance will not cover. The money that is raised will go towards the specialty formula that is required for her little body, extra vitamins, and of course the additional costs that will be incurred with travel to the hospital in Missoula, hotel, food, etc. Their family works hard to provide and are reaching the point that they are in need of additional help. Please take a minute and contribute to Baby Mckenna and her fight against Cystic Fibrosis.
Please share this with your friends and family. We are so grateful for any sacrifice you are able to help with.
I asked McKenna's mom for a brief sinopsis of what is going on right now. These are her words:
Mckenna was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at 1 month old. *Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening, genetic disorder that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe. The defective gene causes a buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infection, extensive lung damage and eventually respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that allows the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients.
Right now Mckenna is fighting the war in her pancreas and is struggling with malabsorbtion. She takes two enzyme tablets with each feeding to help her body absorb the nutrients, but her body is still not getting enough calories. People with CF need 50% or more calories than the person without CF. Mckenna’s body is just not getting those extra calories, and now at 4 1/2 months old, the decision has been made to put a feeding tube ( gastrostomy tube) in her stomach. That will be done in Missoula by the Pediatric Surgeon sometime this month.
Mckenna has to take a certain vitamins twice a day. She also receives CPT, Chest Percussion Therapy twice a day to help keep the lungs clear. She is a very happy and active little girl, but not growing enough. The bigger she is the stronger her body will be to fight off infections and to keep her lungs healthy, and her other organs working properly.
CF has no cure and will be a lifelong struggle for her. As she gets older it will be more vitamins, more enzyme pills, other meds, breathing treatments and Chest Therapies.
The mom is an incredible photographer and mom to three beautiful children ages 6 and under. She works hard for her family always bettering herself and home for their benefit. Children are something she has fought long and hard to achieve. All three of them have been absolute miracles and answers to prayers.
This story really is about the third baby. A sweet little girl named Mckenna. After two rowdy boys, she was a breath of fresh air. I remember when her mom called to tell me that she had been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. They were confused and did not know where this journey would take them. Thankfully, with many great doctors and specialists they are on a good road to treating Mckenna. Part of this journey includes surgery to install a feeding tube in her stomach. This will allow her to receive the desperately needed nutrients her body needs to grow and function.
It is with great humility that I want to reach out to the world, our friends and family and those of the Miller's to help them with any additional costs that insurance will not cover. The money that is raised will go towards the specialty formula that is required for her little body, extra vitamins, and of course the additional costs that will be incurred with travel to the hospital in Missoula, hotel, food, etc. Their family works hard to provide and are reaching the point that they are in need of additional help. Please take a minute and contribute to Baby Mckenna and her fight against Cystic Fibrosis.
Please share this with your friends and family. We are so grateful for any sacrifice you are able to help with.
I asked McKenna's mom for a brief sinopsis of what is going on right now. These are her words:
Mckenna was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) at 1 month old. *Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening, genetic disorder that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe. The defective gene causes a buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infection, extensive lung damage and eventually respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that allows the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients.
Right now Mckenna is fighting the war in her pancreas and is struggling with malabsorbtion. She takes two enzyme tablets with each feeding to help her body absorb the nutrients, but her body is still not getting enough calories. People with CF need 50% or more calories than the person without CF. Mckenna’s body is just not getting those extra calories, and now at 4 1/2 months old, the decision has been made to put a feeding tube ( gastrostomy tube) in her stomach. That will be done in Missoula by the Pediatric Surgeon sometime this month.
Mckenna has to take a certain vitamins twice a day. She also receives CPT, Chest Percussion Therapy twice a day to help keep the lungs clear. She is a very happy and active little girl, but not growing enough. The bigger she is the stronger her body will be to fight off infections and to keep her lungs healthy, and her other organs working properly.
CF has no cure and will be a lifelong struggle for her. As she gets older it will be more vitamins, more enzyme pills, other meds, breathing treatments and Chest Therapies.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amanda Stewart
Organizer
Bozeman, MT
Cami Miller
Beneficiary