Avery's Hope and Healing Fund

On Saturday, April 8th, 4 week old Avery Nicole Baughan presented with what appeared to be a typical fever -  for a second day in a row. Due to her age, the high fever and the persistence of her sweet mother, Kacey, she was sent to Chippenham Pediatric Emergency for evaluation. Upon the completion of initial studies, Avery presented with an enlarged liver that was concerning to Dr. Jennifer Cardone and an ultrasound was ordered. The ultrasound showed a mass above her left kidney that was alarming enough to have this tiny child transported by ambulance to Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU for specialized treatment. Fast forward four days later to present day and many questions remain to be answered and peace of mind has yet to be attained for these wonderful parents, Brandon and Kacey. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the tumor and the age of this sweet little girl, this will be a slow diagnostic process involving a team of oncologists, pediatric surgeons, hepatologists, and even plastic surgeons from Richmond all the way up the eastern seaboard to the mighty medical mecca of Boston Childrens Hospital. Hepatoblastoma (liver cancer) and hemangioendothelioma (rapidly growing vasular malformation with abnormal tissue) are two possible diagnoses presently; however, the only way to gain 100% confidence in the diagnosis would be to perform a biopsy that is proving to be riskier than preferred due to the involvement of veins that could cause major bleeding. Concurrently, Kacey is due to return to work from maternity leave as well as her own medical leave from double lung pneumonia. Like any mother, she needs to remain with her child and her focus should be solely on Avery's care - not the cost of treatment or even possibly COBRA insurance if leaving her job is necessary. Brandon has been working diligently to create the necessary funds to support his little family, but his heart is in Richmond with his wife and daughter. This fund is being used to offset the financial impact of treatment and possible travel and relieve the burden on the shoulders of these young parents in order to focus on Avery and Avery alone. Other ways in which you can support Brandon, Kacey and Avery will include simple things such as sitting and listening, taking a walk with them or Kacey's steadfast mother, Charmaine, and even volunteering to walk their dogs, Ollie and Wilbur. Again, this will be a lengthy diangostic process (possibly involving 6 to 12 months of continuous treatment and monitoring) and medical bills will be coming in as the insurance company processes them. I can't stress enough how much any contributuon (monetary or otherwise) will mean to this family.