Declan Thomas Burnard

Declan Thomas Burnard was born on Friday, January 18th at 9:39 AM. His parents, Mike and Jasmine, were elated. The birth of their first child had been traumatic, and life threatening for both mom and baby. Everyone was on edge as the birth of this new baby approached. A healthy birth meant the Burnard family of four, along with Declan’s brother, 16 month old Silas, could head home that evening. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

A cozy night together in their home in Steinbach, MB, was turned upside down as Declan was brought back to the hospital the next morning. A whirlwind of tests showed that Declan was born with a heart condition called transposition of the greater arteries, also known as TGA - two of the arteries of his heart were swapped, and he was not getting enough oxygen. The day that followed brought moment to moment changes and unthinkable decisions to be made. Declan was not able to breath on his own, and went in for heart valve surgery immediately as a temporary measure to help stabilize him. The family was told that Declan would be transported to Edmonton for a second heart surgery to reverse the transposition. In the meantime, the valve surgery was unsuccessful. Declan was sent from the NICU in Winnipeg to Edmonton ahead of his parents on Saturday evening.

That night at home could not have been more different from the night before. Declan, just a day old, was on a medevac transport to a different province, a thousand kilometers away, and Mike, Jasmine and Silas were once again home, but as a family of three. The next day they were able to join Declan in Edmonton, and hold him in their arms once again.

Family and friends have flooded the Burnards with prayers, love, which have been a huge blessing. But some very practical financial needs are approaching rapidly. The cost of living away from home for at least two weeks for the three Burnards and Mike’s mom, Mike anticipating taking an extended leave from work, and transportation costs from Steinbach to Winnipeg for ongoing medical care.

All funds raised will go towards any and all general expenses that they might encounter during this journey at their discretion. Things like travel expenses and food for them and any helpers they are utilizing, child care, to cover the cost of commuting to check-ups and appointments, a car seat to bring him back home in, and anything else they might need. If any additional funds are left over, they will be a gift to Declan and his family.

Let’s join together now and ensure that this family has the financial means, and the freedom, to make the best decisions for the care of their son. Declan means “man of prayer”, and we are grateful to God for the gift of this child to the Burnard family as we continue to lift him up in prayer.

Thank you.