Georgia on my Mind
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After waiting years to start their family, Bill and Gloria were blessed with the gift of a baby girl to join them and their one-year-old son Yianni. Two months before their daughter’s expected arrival, a routine ultrasound revealed some concerns and on that Thursday, Bill and Gloria were thrown onto a roller coaster that they haven’t been able to get off of. Appointments with specialists were made to plan for the arrival of a sick baby. The baby, however, had other plans and the very next day Gloria went into labor. Baby Georgia was born on Saturday, April 22nd, two months before her due date. In the days after her birth, it was determined that Georgia had Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome.
For the next 7 weeks, Bill and Gloria split their time between their son at home and their daughter in the hospital. During this time, there were more questions than answers; more heartbreak than happiness and Georgia’s health was declining. After a great deal of research, Gloria and Bill came across the research of Dr. Kalish a geneticist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelpia who is an expert in working with children with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome. The decision was made to relocate to Philadelphia to provide Georgia with better options and get her under the care of Dr. Kalish. On June 14th, the flight team from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia came to take Gloria and Georgia to Philadelphia and Bill went by car. They did this with heavy hearts as they where leaving their son, home and pets behind with family to take care of. During this time, Georgia was faced with multiple surgeries including removal of a hepatoblastoma tumor in her liver that was followed with a course of chemotherapy as well as challenges with managing her sugar levels. After 5 months in hospitals, her parents and medical team finally had a plan to bring her home.
Georgia is quite the little fighter and continues to amaze her parents, family and medical team with her resilience. Although Georgia is now home, she continues to require ongoing doctor visits, therapies, prescriptions and medical supplies as well as return trips to Philadelphia. Bill and Gloria are very proud people and work hard to provide for their children on their own. They are going through not just the emotional hardships of having a child who is sick but also the financial hardship of dealing with insurance limitations and exclusions for Georgia’s healthcare providers and medical needs. There comes a time when we need the support of others and this is that time for Bill and Gloria. Please join us in providing them the support they need to get through this challenging time and to help overcome the struggles that the Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome brings to their daughter.
http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/beckwith-wiedemann-syndrome
For the next 7 weeks, Bill and Gloria split their time between their son at home and their daughter in the hospital. During this time, there were more questions than answers; more heartbreak than happiness and Georgia’s health was declining. After a great deal of research, Gloria and Bill came across the research of Dr. Kalish a geneticist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelpia who is an expert in working with children with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome. The decision was made to relocate to Philadelphia to provide Georgia with better options and get her under the care of Dr. Kalish. On June 14th, the flight team from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia came to take Gloria and Georgia to Philadelphia and Bill went by car. They did this with heavy hearts as they where leaving their son, home and pets behind with family to take care of. During this time, Georgia was faced with multiple surgeries including removal of a hepatoblastoma tumor in her liver that was followed with a course of chemotherapy as well as challenges with managing her sugar levels. After 5 months in hospitals, her parents and medical team finally had a plan to bring her home.
Georgia is quite the little fighter and continues to amaze her parents, family and medical team with her resilience. Although Georgia is now home, she continues to require ongoing doctor visits, therapies, prescriptions and medical supplies as well as return trips to Philadelphia. Bill and Gloria are very proud people and work hard to provide for their children on their own. They are going through not just the emotional hardships of having a child who is sick but also the financial hardship of dealing with insurance limitations and exclusions for Georgia’s healthcare providers and medical needs. There comes a time when we need the support of others and this is that time for Bill and Gloria. Please join us in providing them the support they need to get through this challenging time and to help overcome the struggles that the Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome brings to their daughter.
http://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/beckwith-wiedemann-syndrome
Organizer
Georgia on my Mind Benefit Committe
Organizer
Orland Park, IL
