Fundraiser for the Gavrielides Family
This is a fundraiser for the Gavrielides family to help Mike and Stephanie pay medical bills and any other expenses as they stay by their baby Penelope's side and help with her fight to live!
On October 4, 2012, Penelope Louise Gavrielides was born by
emergency C-section at ARMC at only 25 weeks. "Pene" weighed a mere 13.7
ounces and measured at 10.75 inches long, one of the smallest babies some of
the nurses had ever seen. She was transferred to the NICU at Children's
Healthcare of Atlanta on October 10 where she had surgery to close a hole in
her heart. The doctors there have been working diligently to insure
that her kidney and pulmonary functions remain stable, but, sadly, yesterday
Penelope took a turn for the worse and the doctors are not optimistic about her
chances of survival. She is experiencing severe systemic capillary
leakage and she is swollen all over and leaking plasma. Her kidneys are
overwhelmed, her chest X-Ray reveals fluid in the lungs and she has had to be
partially paralyzed to stop her from trying to breathe against the
ventilator. Nonetheless, the Gavrielides family, friends, co-workers and
extended family continue to have hope and we ask for prayers and healing
thoughts for Baby Pene. Photos of this little one and her story are here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/penelopegavrielides/mystory
Penelope's Dad Mike (UGA BA 2000) is a former UGA staff
member and her Mom, Stephanie (UGA BS 2001) is employed with the UGA Office
Animal Care & Use. They have been by Pene's side every day and could
really use some help, especially since under current UGA policy, Stephanie is
not eligible for the Shared Leave Program. (Shared Leave can only be used if
the employee has a "critical and life-threatening" condition or experiences a
major surgery, and the following recovery period. Shared leave cannot be used
if an employee's family member is the one with a critical and life-threatening
condition, etc.).
1. Financial
donations of any kind would be greatly appreciated.
This unfortunate situation has caused an undue financial burden on the
family. All
funds will go directly to the family.
2. Give
BLOOD next week here on Campus.
Because of all the blood transfusions NICU babies receives, Mike and
Stephanie ask that everyone who is able to please consider donating blood this
holiday season. A blood drive in honor of Penelope will be held at the
Georgia Center for Continuing Education, Room VW, on December 19, 2012 from
12:00pm until 5:00pm. Please consider giving blood this holiday season so
that everyone in need can enjoy the gift of life. Everyone who gives will
receive free Chick-Fil-A coupons and have the opportunity to win a free massage
from Lotus Sun Therapeutics.
Organizer
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