A relocation to Halifax for medical care

Hi my name is Jolynn Wilson. We are fundraising for my Daughter Rebekah London and her Fiancé Michael Byers of Passakeag, NB who are 30+ weeks pregnant with their 3rd child Kallie who has a very rare & severe congenital heart defect called Pulmonary Atresia with collaterals and Septal Defects.

What this essentially means is that the baby’s heart is severely genetically deformed. She has 2 holes in her ventricles, which stand alone are a common and easily repaired defect. Much more seriously, she is missing her Pulmonary Artery that transports blood to the lungs from the heart for oxygenation. For those of you wondering, how is this unborn child surviving? The Human Body is an amazing thing. Kallie’s little body has managed to grow tiny collaterals (veins) to do the job of the missing Pulmonary Artery, in conjunction with absorbing oxygenated blood from Mom’s Placenta. At birth there is a chance she will need immediate Open Heart Surgery. The Cardiologist, through the use of medication would like to see Baby Kallie grow to around 6 months of age before the said surgery. Unfortunately, we won’t know how the situation plays out until she is born. Presuming all goes well, she will require many Cath Lab. procedures and at least 1 more Open Heart Surgery in her teens.

The family has been advised by Pediatric Cardiologists to relocate to Halifax, NS so the baby can be born safely at the I.W.K and they can start life saving procedures immediately after birth. However, depending on the medical circumstances they may end up at Toronto Sick Kids for the original Open Heart Surgery.

There are a lot of unanswered questions as the Pediatric Cardiologists still aren’t certain of the true extent of the defects until she is born.

Relocating means packing up themselves and their 2 boys for what could be 3-4 months and Michael having to take a leave from his job to be there to support Rebekah along with many, many appointments in either Halifax, NS or Toronto, ON. We understand that life for many currently is very difficult, and the Christmas season is upon us, however, even in the best of circumstances, there is no “good time” to prepare or to have to deal with a medical circumstance of this sort.

We really do need help from any and all. Family, friends, co-workers or if you are just reading this, we appreciate any and all size donations. Funds will be used to help with medications Kallie may require, travel expenses and day to day expenses.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support,

THE FAMILY