Best $5 Holiday Gift of the Year

Update (4:50 p.m.): We are absolutely blown away by the generosity of so many in helping Baby Seth reach his goal in less than 8 hours since going public with this. We just spoke with the Ferdinand family, and they are beyond humbled by the incredible response. As much good as this will do for their family, it is just as much a testament to the human spirit for all of us.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

Please keep in mind that every dollar raised buys more and more time for Baby Seth and his parents to be together, so we ask that you don't stop sharing this and spreading the word. Let's send this family home with a holiday gift that they will never forget, and one that you will never forget having been a part of. Let's show Baby Seth how many of us have got his back!


Baby Seth's Story

When Seth and Kara Ferdinand had their first and only child, Baby Seth, he was literally one in a million. He was born with Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome (CFC), an extremely rare and serious genetic disorder. While many of the characteristics of the syndrome are cosmetic, others can have much more serious health implications. His parents have showed him unconditional love every step of the way, and have always had his back. As friends of his family, and with their consent, we wanted to share their story and help garner support for this precious baby and his family, because we've got Baby Seth's back too.

The day after Thanksgiving this year, Baby Seth had a seizure which caused him to stop breathing. He was transported to Boston Children’s hospital that night, and his parents have been there by his side since. They were told by his doctors that the brain damage was global and extensive enough where he wouldn’t be able to maintain breathing on his own again. After trying to take the tube out a few times and seeing how he was not stable when it was out, they were forced to make the decision that no parent wants to face: they decided to remove it, and let their favorite little boy pass away. So on Friday, Dec. 16, his doctors made the little 21-month old very comfortable with sedatives before removing the tube one last time.

But Baby Seth responded in an unexpected way. When the tube was removed, he started breathing on his own and he has continued to do so since. All of his stats have been strong, as he continues to rebuild his strength. His parents realized that they weren't giving him enough credit and asked staff to remove the DNR (“Do Not Resuscitate”) from his file. Through medications and other medical approaches, there is now hope that Baby Seth will be able to come home.

Both parents took a leave of absence from work to be by his side throughout this battle. His mom started a new job as a behavioral analyst for special needs children this year and does not qualify for FMLA (Family and Medical Leave), and his dad, does, through his job at BJ’s. While both employers have been extremely generous and understanding of their unique situation, the couple has run out of paid leave. So while Baby Seth's parents are there by his side, the family has no income coming in to keep up with the bills.  

This holiday season, please keep Baby Seth and his parents in your thoughts. If you want to be a part of this fight, please consider either making a donation of $5 (or more), or simply share this page with your friends with the words: “I’ve got Baby Seth’s back.”  Funds raised from this effort will offset living expenses to keep the Ferdinand family together during this difficult time, and anything raised in excess of the goal will give the family as much breathing room as possible throughout their ongoing fight.

Let's all get behind Baby Seth as he continues to show why he's one in a million. You will never spend a better $5. Thank you for having Baby Seth’s back.