Help Samantha and her Family

Hello, my name is Aaron, and I am the father of Samantha. Samantha has recently been hospitalized with RSV, developing into pneumonia. Samantha and her older brother Luke have been in and out of Doctors' offices and hospitals for the last two months with everything from a cold to pink eye and ear infections. Between the two children having to stay home and being unable to go to daycare, their mother and I have missed a lot of work over the last couple of months, resulting in severe financial strain. With Samantha in the hospital through this Thanksgiving holiday, it has been a year we would all like to put behind us. Due to the massive hospitalizations of children this season with RSV and other respiratory illnesses, Samantha had to be transferred to a hospital over an hour away from our home, which is not in my insurance network of approved hospitals. As such, she will accumulate a sizeable medical bill during her stay here. Between living expense increases, unplanned events such as vehicles being damaged, parts going out on cars, and a personal injury resulting in loss of work time, it has been a year with a black cloud living at our residence.

My children are the most precious things in my life, and I am thankful every day for them. Samantha has been a happy baby since birth who always seemed to have a smile on her face no matter what. Whether getting medications, being sick or even falling and hurting herself, she never cried for more than a few seconds before her smile was back. Samantha has always been laughing or giggling, no matter what was going on or how sick she felt. Samantha contracted Covid at four months old and kept smiling even through it. Now, as she lies here in a hospital bed, the usual smiles and happiness have been replaced with tears and cries of discomfort and pain as IV's are started, and she is constantly monitored and checked while trying desperately to breathe. Seeing this and knowing that, as a parent, there is nothing you can do to make your child better is heartbreaking. Now add on the fact that you know you can't cover the medical bills that she is rapidly accruing while also wondering how you will cover getting her more diapers or even buying groceries for the family.

My family and I are hoping for enough to cover medical expenses and daily living costs until we can get back on our feet. My family is my world, and I would do anything to take care of them. We hope that Samantha will recover from this quickly, and as her smile returns, this black cloud will move on and let some sunshine in. Anything that can be provided will be appreciated as we try to navigate these challenging times.