Help The Pepper Family

The Pepper Family is headed to Philadelphia! As many of you know, Mitch and Amanda’s fourth child, Nathaniel, joined their family on August 10, 2018. During prenatal testing is was discovered he would likely be born with Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome.  This diagnosis was confirmed at birth and Nathaniel has yet to come home from the NICU due to an even more rare condition called congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia. This is a lymphatic disorder that causes Nathaniel’s lymphatic system to leak or possibly be blocked in certain areas, particularly around his lungs. This causes fluid build-up, edema, and significant respiratory distress. Doctors in Cincinnati treated Nathaniel while he was still in the womb, and doctors at both University of Cincinnati and Riley Hospital have treated him since birth. Nathaniel remains intubated and receives help to breathe from a ventilator. As of this week, his team at Riley believes they have exhausted all of the options for what can be done medically and want to send Nathaniel to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for medical intervention. Doctors at CHOP have developed surgical interventions through their specialty lymphatic imaging and intervention program – the only program like it in the world! (Read more by clicking here )

This trip is a leap of faith for the Pepper Family not just as they hope for an intervention to help improve Nathaniel’s health enough to bring him home, but also for all of the details and logistics that have to fall into place for this trip to happen. Please join us in praying for their family! They would also be incredibly grateful if you would like to donate to support their family as they travel to be with Nathaniel while he is in the hospital in Philadelphia. There is no set timeline for how long Nathaniel may need to be in the hospital there. Any money gathered through this fund will be used for airfare, car rental, lodging, food, gas and any other expenses that come up during the Pepper’s time in Philly. Thank you!

Amanda and Mitch plan to provide updates on this page and will share specific prayer requests as they are able. 
 

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19