Help Natasha - Your Help is Appreciated!

My name is Carissa Mendez. It is with a very heavy heart that I write this. My niece, Ellie Brisson, 13 years old, passed away at Sanford Children's hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

The funds raised will help my sister, Natasha Brisson, Mother of Ellie, with medical and funeral expenses. As you can imagine this is any parents' worst nightmare.

Around the 4th of July, Ellie started having flu-like symptoms. By Saturday the 6th she developed a fever. Sunday the fever persisted, and she was refusing medication and liquids.

Monday, July 8th, Natasha took Ellie to the ER in hope of an IV to bring her fluid level up. Ellie was admitted into the Yankton, SD hospital. Shortly after being admitted, she was airlifted to Avera hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Avera ran an MRI and determined she had fluid buildup in her brain. They advised Natasha to take Ellie to the Sanford Children's hospital for the best pediatric care.

Sanford Children's hospital decided to flush the infection and pump antibiotics to take care of the fluid buildup. That procedure was performed, and a follow up MRI showed brain bleeding and swelling. She was rushed into emergency surgery to cut open her skull and try to relieve the pressure of the swelling and the medical team saw no sign that her brain was functioning. It had swollen so fast, it blocked her brain stem, stopping the blood flow.

If you are unable to donate, please help by sharing this post. And if nothing else, please pray for healing and health for this family.