Support Baby Hazel - $25 Can Go a Long Way

Dear friends, family, and compassionate individuals,

We come to you with heavy hearts, but filled with hope and determination as we share the story of our beloved baby, Hazel. Born on July 30, 2023, Hazel's journey began with unforeseen challenges, testing her resilience from the very first moments of her life.

Immediately after birth, Hazel's health took a downward turn very quickly, and she almost died on mommy's chest. We only got to see little Hazel for about two minutes after her birth and then she was whisked away to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) to try and figure out what was wrong with her. Figuring that it was a heart issue, Hazel was swiftly transferred via Life Flight to Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane. Some say it's the best children's heart center west of the Mississippi. Due to the world class healthcare at Sacred Heart Childrens Hospital, the medical experts diagnosed her with a congenital heart condition known as Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR). At only nine hours old, little Hazel underwent a five hour critical surgery to address her condition.

Since the surgery, Hazel has been bravely fighting her way to recovery. The nurses call her "spicy" which is a nicer way of saying that she's a "feisty baby". However, that feistiness is the foundation of the strength and courage that she exhibits each day and it's awe-inspiring to watch this little girl battle for her life!

Amidst this difficult time, we have found solace and support through the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane. They have graciously offered us a room near the hospital, ensuring we can stay close to Hazel during this crucial phase of her recovery.

However, the Ronald McDonald House can only accommodate five of my family members to sleep at the house each night. As a result, Mike and one of the kids has to drive almost an hour home each evening, sleep, and then drive back to the Ronald McDonald house in the morning. This is a lot of driving but it ensures that our family stays together during this challenging time.

We have been forced to split our resources, buying groceries for both the Ronald McDonald House and for those traveling back and forth from home. We are also eating at restaurants a lot more right now because we are always on the move. The nations highest gas prices are here in Washington state and that has added to our financial burden during this trying time.

Why the GoFundMe Fund Raising Campaign?

Many people have reached out, asking how they can financially help with our current situation. We are deeply moved by your kindness and are grateful beyond words for your desire to come to our aid. We have set up this GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate some of the costs that we face right now, including gas expenses, restaurants and groceries for two locations. Money not spent on these initial expenses, will be used for Hazel's future medical bills. Every contribution, big or small, will make a tremendous impact on our journey to support baby Hazel's healing and our family's unity.

We understand that the future may hold additional challenges, including hospital bills and unforeseen expenses. As the need arises, we will keep you informed of any further support required.

Thank you all for your unwavering love, prayers, and kindness during this trying time. Your generosity will not only ease our immediate financial burdens, but also serve as a ray of hope, reminding us that we are surrounded by a group of people who care about our family. We are grateful for every step you take with us on this journey. Together, we can make a difference in Hazel's life, nurturing her dreams for a bright and healthy future.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Mike & Chanel and the Family

(Seth, Faith, Grace, Jordan, Pearl...and Baby Hazel)