“Charlie’s Angels” needed.

“Charlie’s Angels” needed.

Open hearts wanted.

Persistent prayers requested.

I am Heidi and with my husband Carl, we are looking for those who may be interested in becoming a “Charlie’s Angel”. Charlie is the 3rd grandson of my ‘mom’ Lori Ferguson who has loved and supported me as her ‘daughter’ in the absence of my maternal relationship. I humbly ask for you to consider this little man’s story and become one of his angels.

Charlie Ferguson was born January 26th at 6lbs 6oz with a rare malformation, called Vein of Galen Malformation.

A Vein of Galen Malformation (VOGM) is an abnormal arrangement of blood vessels in the brain. It can lead to heart failure and hydrocephalus. Every VOGM is different. Unfortunately, Charlie’s VOGM presents with multiple complexities. In the first two weeks of life, he has had 4 embolism surgeries to relieve the pressure in his brain and the stress on his heart. He is experiencing stress on multiple organs, including his liver and kidneys. Charlie is already proving to be quite a little fighter, brave and strong. Each day is seemingly bringing a win and a loss and he and his family need your help.

Charlie is surrounded by a beautiful family. His dad, Alex is an entrepreneur running a small marketing company with his mom, Alisane supporting the business from home, while she nurtures their two other children, Theo and Lily. The family is very active in their community. Alex in addition to being a small business owner, practises as a lay minister in a Raleigh, NC congregation. Alex and Alisane are known to their congregation members as compassionate and committed ministers, proactively, and responsively providing care to each and every one.

The birth of a child is generally full of anticipation, joy and excitement, followed by celebration and gushing adoration for the little one. In Charlie’s birth, surrounded in love, there is also much stress, fear and anxiety as the family meets each day with unexpected life-threatening challenges for Charlie. Beyond the emotional stresses of such daily interactions, comes financial stress as decisions for Charlie’s care are made.

As a citizen of a country where medical care is provided via a social system, I have never had to think twice about entering a hospital or surgery options for financial reasons. I can only imagine what it is like to have to carry the weight of not only the significant emotional stress of watching my child endure multiple surgeries, and care in a NICU, but also the fear of not knowing how the financial requirements would be met.

That’s where you, a “Charlie’s Angel” can help. Let’s join together and relieve one of the many stressors for this family. For your perspective:

One day of care in the NICU = $2000~

One embolism surgery = $10,000~. Charlie has had 4 of these surgeries so far.

He has been in the NICU since January 26th. It is anticipated his stay will be a minimum of 6 weeks and could be up to 12-15 weeks.

The current costs of his care are: $67,000 and could be as high as $235,000. Although there will be some support from state and federal programs, the family will still have a large responsibility of the financial burden.

In my conversations with Alex and Alisane, they are humble in asking for help. They do not want to ‘over-ask’ and are committing any money donated in excess of what they need, will be committed to VOGM Support Network .

It is difficult to ask for help when we consider everyone is struggling with something. This is also where prayer is an instrumental tool of care and support. We know God is actively and intimately involved in our daily care, for each and every one. He uses our medical practitioners, our friends, our neighbors and at times, even strangers to help us. We ask for your prayer support, for prayer changes outcomes. A simple “God, please help.” is all that is needed.

As one of “Charlie’s Angels” you can help this little family focus on healing together by praying and/or donating to assist their financial care commitments. Alex and Alisane are humbly grateful for any and all help given.

I am requesting on their behalf, please donate and share this message with your social network. Together, by grace, we meet each day. Thank you.