This fund is dedicated to Annie.

There are no words for the heartache we feel.

Annie passed away on Sunday, September 3 in the arms of her moms hearing how much she is loved, how brave she has been and that it is okay to rest now.

Annie was 7 months and a few hours old and has given us a lifetime of love.

Continue to read below to learn more about Annie, Katie and Megan's journey posted in May at the inception of this fund...

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Over the past several months Megan and Katie have put their own needs aside and focused on what is best for Annie’s development and recovery. We, their extended family, both blood-related and dear friends, have been overwhelmed by their strength, composure and unrelenting love.

Megan and Katie, welcomed their first, long-awaited, baby, Annie on February 2nd. Annie was delivered 6 weeks premature to save both her life and the life of Katie. Since then, she has been a resident of Children’s National in both the NICU and Cardiac NICU. She was diagnosed with Scimitar Syndrome which has presented challenges with her lungs and heart making it difficult for her to breathe on her own. Annie is currently preparing for life-saving heart surgery following the most recent discovery that her single functioning valve from her heart to her one strong lung is failing. They have an excellent team of doctors who have engaged the consultation services from two other groups on the East Coast to determine the best plan of care for her. Megan and Katie have been strong, pragmatic and loving from the first moment. They are in love with their daughter.

Megan and Katie have lived in the hospital since late January when Katie was admitted and continued residence after Annie was born. After 6 weeks Megan had to make the difficult decision to go back to work, luckily remotely, and they began trading off who was by her side each day. Both my Mother-in-Law and Katie’s Mom also split the week to offer some relief in watching their adorable puppy Penny, cooking meals and being there for support. They have been flying back and forth from New Hampshire and New Jersey, respectively almost every week. The hospital rules are strict and only four (4) individuals total are permitted to enter for the duration of Annie’s admittance so Megan, Katie and their moms rotate bedside visits on a 24hr basis. Megan and Katie also have amazing friends who have developed a meal train plan and drop food once a week to ease the burden of cooking. Despite this incredible support system they are approaching 4 months and are approaching the brink of exhausting their resources.

I appreciate you taking the time to read about my resilient niece and incredible Sisters-in-Law. Distance disallows many of us to be of assistance in a hands-on way. These funds will help fill in the support gaps as they continue on this family journey.