Gianna’s Having Heart Surgery

My close family friends need help. I’ve been part of this family for close to 40 years .

Gianna is a beautiful 3 1/2 year old girl who has been through so much in her short little life . She is preparing for her third heart surgery which is scheduled for September 8, 2020 at Mt Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in NY City. This surgery is for a sub aortic stenosis, which means that a membrane is growing on her heart at the aorta, together with scar tissue.
Giana was born 8 weeks premature on November 12, 2016 weighing only 2 pounds 12 ounces. She was prenatally diagnosed with a large Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) but her other congenital problems wee not diagnosed until she was born.Gianna has a correction of her aorta, bilateral superior vena cava, and a large PDA, which is a persistent opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart. She had her first heart surgery at just a month old for aortic coarctation resection and pulmonary artery banding which should have given her time to grow but unfortunately that banding did not work in her favor and she had to have a second surgery by February at 3 months old.
Gianna has overcome many obstacles and has hit milestones that were not expected for her. She is a happy, loving little girl. This surgery will be a speed bump for her, it will slow her down but not stop her. She is a strong and determined.
We need some help. During Covid all the rules have changed. The hospital does not have accommodations for her parents Alexa and Lou, and the visiting is limited. The hospital stay is estimated at 3-10 days. It’s too much for them to commute to and from the hospital back to their home in Oakdale each day. They will have to get meals , a place to stay, and they will need to get transportation to and from the hospital.
Gianna’s road to recovery will include cardiology care and therapies. She will be starting OT/PT and speech /feeding therapy once she is strong enough and gets clearance from her surgical team. The plan is to raise money so that her parents can fully concentrate on getting Gianna all the required care she needs without the worry of expense.
We are asking for our friends, neighbors, colleagues to please consider a donation in any amount they feel comfortable with. No amount is too small. The funds will be used for all costs associated with transportation, overnight accommodations, meals and expenses associated with the upcoming surgery. From the bottom of their hearts, this family appreciates the help
Gianna after earlier surgery 
Gianna now, sweet and full of smiles❤️