Funeral expenses for Stephanie Stoffregen

The Childersburg Fire Department is raising money for one of our own who is hurting.

Hoyt Stoffregen lost his 10 year old little girl tonight due to complications from a liver transplant yesterday afternoon.

Stephanie Stoffregen had a condition that required her to have a new liver. This is something the family was aware of for about a year so when they got the call this past Thursday that Children’s Hospital had a match, the family was full of emotions. Hoyt said it was a mix of humility, excitement, tears of joy, and nervousness all at once. The family loaded up with Stephanie (fully aware at such a young age that she was finally going to start feeling better) and headed from Tallapoosa County to Birmingham.

Her surgery of 9 hours was remarkable followed by recovery and on to ICU for close monitoring. A little groggy from such a long operation she even got to speak to mom and dad last night. All that changed early this morning when her labs changed subsequently being rushed back to surgery. Just before 5:30 this evening Hoyt and his wife Laina got the news no parent ever wants to hear. Stephanie had died. Her little body was tired and her new liver wasn’t functioning properly. Everyone was devastated with even doctors in tears.

As Hoyt and Laina pick up the pieces and begin to navigate this loss, they also have 5 surviving children. One of which is special needs and another who has the same liver condition as little Stephanie had.

All being said, we want to show this family love and support and need your help. Hoyt is one of the most selfless people you will ever meet on this planet. He has a true servants heart helping anyone in need. At work, he is who you want at your emergency. He is simply a stellar fire medic who has touched and saved so many lives. You may even recognize him as the lead instructor for our high school recruit school last year.

In public safety we always talk about the “Brotherhood and Sisterhood”. Well now it’s time to show it to our broken brother and his family who certainly need the love right now. We are encouraging anyone to give support no matter the amount, but if you are in the fire service we plea for you to give anything you can to help pay for the funeral and other unforeseen cost. Hoyt would do it for you.. no doubt.

God bless you all…