Fight for Esther

Beautiful baby Esther was born on January 17th, 2018 as the youngest of 5 children. Immediately after delivery it was apparent that Esther had some significant complications. She was sent to the NICU at the local hospital and then airlifted to the closest regional medical center a few hours later. After many test and consultations with doctors around the country and a 6 hour sedated MRI the doctors have diagnosed baby Esther as having a very rare combination of conditions called Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma (KHE) combined with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. The KHE is basically a tumor of vein cells where the endothelium in the veins just keeps growing and would continue to grow without treatment. Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome is a condition where the KHE tumor acts like a sponge trapping and destroying most of her blood platelets causing her platelet count to drop dangerously low and causes her blood to not clot properly.  KHE acts like a cancer as the cells in the blood vessel lining grow abnormally, but it is not malignant.


Because the KHE tumor acts like a cancer, Esther will be treated for now with a combination of steroids and chemotherapy to slow and stop the growth of the blood vessels in her legs, as well as a combination of pain medications to keep the pain down and help make her comfortable.  We are hoping and praying that the treatment will work and that she will be able to go home soon and grow to be healthy and strong and have functioning legs and feet.  We recognize that whatever the road ahead for Esther, it will likely be a battle, with lots of medical treatment.  



It is unknown how long she will be in the NICU and what the future will hold for precious baby Esther. It is unknown how many rounds of chemotherapy will be needed and what the long term prognosis is. Her parents are spending 24/7 in the NICU at the moment and have costs associated with staying away from home and as you can imagine the medical costs will be significant too.   

We wanted to set up this account so people who want to help this family can.  If you would like to aid their family and ease some of the burden they are currently carrying we are sure they would be so grateful.  

Mike and Brittney are not asking for help but as some of their close friends our hearts are full of compassion, and concern for the welfare of their beautiful baby girl. Many have asked how they could help and this is a small way that each of us can contribute to help Mike and Brittney and their family through this difficult time as they spend their waking hours and sleepless nights with worry for their daughter. To all of you who have expressed love and concern for baby Esther and her parents Mike and Brittney Bennett any donation on their behalf would be welcome.  Please donate as you are able and any amount will be appreciated and will be used by Mike and Brittney to help their family however it is needed.  

Thank you for your generosity!

Mark & Rachel Snow

On behalf of Mike, Brittney & Esther Bennett