Xyra's NICU Support Funds

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are reaching out with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits to ask for your help in supporting our precious daughter, Xyra Eileen McAlpin, during her challenging NICU journey. As parents, Amber McAlpin (Mom) and Craig Collins (Dad), we are doing everything we can to be there for Xyra, but we need your support.

Xyra was born on October 6th at 8:22 am, at just 33 weeks and 6 days, after multiple episodes of threatened pre-term labor. She came into this world fighting, experiencing Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and requiring CPAP to breathe. She was immediately admitted to the Royal Columbia Hospital NICU, where she will need extended care due to her premature birth.

Our journey has been incredibly tough. Amber was admitted to Penticton Hospital on September 20-21, then again on September 23, and never left the hospital from that point. On September 26, she was rushed to Kelowna Hospital by ambulance due to extreme risk of preterm labor, which thankfully stopped itself. However, on September 29, she was airlifted to New Westminster for safer care. Amber endured multiple threatened pre-term labor episodes before finally going into labor on the evening of October 5th. An emergency C-section was called at 10:30 pm, and despite the challenges, we were blessed with the first sight of our beautiful Xyra.

During the C-section, Amber had her tubes removed due to complications from carrying a baby after a previous uterine rupture in 2019, which tragically took our son, Dominic. This experience has been terrifying, as Amber battles PTSD from that loss while trying to stay strong for Xyra.

We have been fortunate to receive some support from Variety, the children's charity of BC, which covered our hotel in New Westminster, provided a breast pump, and gave us $150 in grocery gift cards. However, our hotel lacks a kitchenette, and the funds for ready-to-eat food have quickly run out.

We have tried to avoid asking for financial help, but we are now at a point where we have no choice. We have applied for Family Caregiver Benefits with Service Canada, but approval takes time. We urgently need assistance to cover our recurring bills and food costs.

My long term disabily for my PTSD was pending underwriting since July 22, 2024. I have received no income since Aug 20th, 2024. On Oct 9th, 2024 I was informed they unfortunately declined my claim due to pre-existing anxiety. My prior OB, that I fired from my care in mid August, only mentioned high anixenty due to prior labour. She forgot to mention anything regarding suspected PTSD. Now, I need to apply for an appeal. To apply for an appeal, I need to gather all medical documentation since July 22 and incur costs for all the documents. It's hard to request all necessary documents, while supporting our daughter in NICU. Pending the appeal, my long term disabily for my income Aug 20 - Oct 6th, is not coming for potentially months or even at all. My mom has been paying our half of the mortgage payments for September and October due to me having no income. She has also been helping with our food costs during my disability claim.

Today, October 15 - Day of life #9, Xyra has graduated from antibiotics, CPAP, jaundice, and the incubator. She still has to work on:

⭐Staying awake during feedings

⭐Suck and swallowing from a bottle and breastfeeding

⭐Remembering to breathe when in a deep sleep.

Xyra is on the BC bedline list to get transferred to Kelowna NICU since October 11th. Everything must line up for the ambulance transfer: an infant ambulance transport time and a NICU spot in Kelowna being available at the same time. We have been warned this could be 2 hours to sometimes weeks.

Variety will again assist with a place to stay during Xyra's NICU stay. I, mom, will be staying permanently in Kelowna until Xyra is discharged. Dad will be traveling back and forth between Summerland and Kelowna. We have animals that my mom has been watching since things happened prior to expected and we didn't have a backup solution. Craig will also be able to bring Xyra's big brother, Daxin, to finally meet his sister!

The funds donated will assist with extra food, some of our recurring bills during Craig's Family Caregiver leave of absence, me correcting my LTD claim, and fuel costs we'll incur during Xyra's remaining NICU time.

We humbly ask for your generosity to help us through this difficult time. Your donations will go directly towards supporting Xyra's NICU journey and covering our essential expenses. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a significant difference.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support.

With gratitude,

Amber McAlpin and Craig Collins

Update Oct 17: Been transferred to Kelowna NICU! Very happy to leave New Westminster! Excited that Daxin gets to meet his little sister! She is still in the same health from my update Oct 15th update.