Support Baby Athena Cheek
Donation protected
Eight weeks ago, on August 23, 2016 at 7:10 AM, our dear friends, Rai and Chrisalis Cheek, welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby girl, Athena Luciana Cheek, into the world. Named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, weighing 7 lbs and 11 oz and measuring 19.5 inches, Athena was the sweetest gift with a full head of hair and the perfect combination of daddy’s smile and mommy’s eyes.
When Chrisalis was 22 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound revealed that Athena had two heart defects, Small Left Heart Structure and Coarctation of the Aorta. This diagnosis kept Athena in the Cardiac ICU of Boston’s Children Hospital since birth. The prognosis was unclear for the first few weeks. It was finally determined that Athena also had Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), which means there is a “hole” in the wall that separates the left and right chambers of the heart. The severity of ASD is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, small ASDs may close on their own with time, while medium to large size ASDs can require surgical correction. For Athena, surgical correction was necessary.
For the first few weeks of her life, Athena was sedated and connected to a breathing tube. Rai and Chrisalis could touch her and change her diaper, but they could not hold their little baby girl. On September 21, 2016, at just 28 days old, Athena underwent her first surgery. After eight hours, Rai and Chrisalis, sleepless and worried, learned that their baby girl had done great and the surgery showed promising results. Over the next month, doctors continued to monitor Athena. She struggled with a partially paralyzed vocal cord which made feeding difficult. A second surgery on October 12, 2016, placed a feeding tube directly into little Athena’s belly. And it was a success!
With big smiles and joy in their hearts, Rai and Chrisalis brought Athena home on October 15, 2016. Athena is doing well and starting to get her voice back with hopes of being able to swallow and take feedings at home soon!
We have started this page so that our friends can continue to focus on being the dedicated and supportive parents to their strong and resilient little girl without the burden and worry of the medical bills that have already begun to roll-in.
Even with insurance, the care and attention that helped Athena to survive her first few weeks will cost $60,000, plus additional bills will cover the ongoing care she needs to ensure full recovery. We are asking for the support of our friends, family and community to help these two kind, generous, and deserving parents start their new family without the overwhelming burden of medical bills.
Every little bit helps. Please share far and wide to support our friends. All funds will be directly deposited in to an account for the Cheek family.
We will also be hosting a fundraising event at Porter’s Bar and Grill in Boston, MA on December 4, 2016 from 2 PM to 8 PM. We hope you will be able to join us.
When Chrisalis was 22 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound revealed that Athena had two heart defects, Small Left Heart Structure and Coarctation of the Aorta. This diagnosis kept Athena in the Cardiac ICU of Boston’s Children Hospital since birth. The prognosis was unclear for the first few weeks. It was finally determined that Athena also had Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), which means there is a “hole” in the wall that separates the left and right chambers of the heart. The severity of ASD is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, small ASDs may close on their own with time, while medium to large size ASDs can require surgical correction. For Athena, surgical correction was necessary.
For the first few weeks of her life, Athena was sedated and connected to a breathing tube. Rai and Chrisalis could touch her and change her diaper, but they could not hold their little baby girl. On September 21, 2016, at just 28 days old, Athena underwent her first surgery. After eight hours, Rai and Chrisalis, sleepless and worried, learned that their baby girl had done great and the surgery showed promising results. Over the next month, doctors continued to monitor Athena. She struggled with a partially paralyzed vocal cord which made feeding difficult. A second surgery on October 12, 2016, placed a feeding tube directly into little Athena’s belly. And it was a success!
With big smiles and joy in their hearts, Rai and Chrisalis brought Athena home on October 15, 2016. Athena is doing well and starting to get her voice back with hopes of being able to swallow and take feedings at home soon!
We have started this page so that our friends can continue to focus on being the dedicated and supportive parents to their strong and resilient little girl without the burden and worry of the medical bills that have already begun to roll-in.
Even with insurance, the care and attention that helped Athena to survive her first few weeks will cost $60,000, plus additional bills will cover the ongoing care she needs to ensure full recovery. We are asking for the support of our friends, family and community to help these two kind, generous, and deserving parents start their new family without the overwhelming burden of medical bills.
Every little bit helps. Please share far and wide to support our friends. All funds will be directly deposited in to an account for the Cheek family.
We will also be hosting a fundraising event at Porter’s Bar and Grill in Boston, MA on December 4, 2016 from 2 PM to 8 PM. We hope you will be able to join us.
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Holmes
Organizer
Boston, MA
Chrisalis Cheek
Beneficiary