Help Baby Vader Fight CHD and Heterotaxy

My name is Daniel Ernst. The little Miracle in the photo is my son, Vader. Just 5 months ago, Vader was born with severe and complex heart defects and heterotaxy, a rare condition where some of his organs are located in the wrong place.

After touring several fetal heart hospitals around the country, we temporarily moved our young family to Pennsylvania to deliver at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Three days after Vader was born, he had his first of several necessary heart surgeries. Unfortunately, several complications arose, extending his time in the CICU to nearly 4 months.

Since we returned home to Tennessee in March, his life has been a daily struggle. He requires around-the-clock medical attention, doctor's appointments at least 4 times a week, and medications that he'll have to take for the rest of his life. The medical professionals in Tennessee don't know how to treat his very rare medical condition, so he's had to be airlifted back to Philadelphia due to multiple, life-threateningly low oxygen saturations.

His next surgery, one of several necessary heart surgeries, is scheduled for May. For him to have the best possible chance for survival, we will be temporarily relocating back to Philadelphia with his two- and four-year-old brothers, for as long as his recovery takes.

We're extremely blessed that our sweet angel, Vader, has made it this far, but we have a very long road ahead of us.

I started this campaign to raise funds to help cover Vader's enormous medical expenses and the necessary travel required to give him the best chance possible. Every donation, no matter what size, will make a huge difference in his life, and will help us continue to fight for the best care and life possible for him.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

Thanks again,

Daniel ❤️‍