Team Athena

Athena is a strong, beautiful baby girl born on May 14, 2011. At 12 hours old she underwent her first of many major surgeries, this time to remove the damaged small intestine that she was unfortunately born with. This surgery left her with Short Bowel Syndrome, leaving her unable to absorb the nutrients she would need to live and grow. Her only option was to be nourished through a permanent IV in her chest by a fluid called TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) and Lipids. As you can imagine this left her with many challenges, but most of all can cause severe Liver Failure. At 5 months old, on October 17, 2011, Athena and her family made the journey from Michigan to Pennsylvania to be evaluated at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for what could be a life saving transplant. At that time Athena was listed for a small intestine and liver and was sent home to wait for a donor. More than a year later, on December 1, 2012, Athena's parents finally received "the call," her organs were donated! They once again made the trip to Pennsylvania for the transplant. The surgery was successful, but not long after Athena ran into many complications, including rejection, problems breathing on her own, and bleeding. After months in the hospital she remains inpatient in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator through a tracheostomy and fighting her amazing battle. Any contributions with be used for bills both at home in Michigan, living expenses in Pennsylvania, and to help with her parent's travel between the two. Thanks so much. :)