Incredible babies need incredible parents…A normal pregnancy turned upside down.  A family’s world forever changed.  On January 3, 2019, Caroline and Brian (and sibs Grace and Kieran) welcomed sweet Thomas Patrick to the world.

Tommy has been fighting uphill since Day 1. Born six weeks early and weighing 6lbs was just the beginning of his long and complicated journey. Despite lengthy hospitalizations, opinions of multiple specialists, and an untold number of tests and procedures, there are still no answers…just more fear, more questions, more tests, and more waiting. Tommy and his family have not been able to catch a break or their breath.

Amongst the many challenges he faces, one of the biggest is his inability to gain weight. At  6 months old, despite an incredible appetite and constantly working with a GI/feeding therapy team, Tommy only weighs 11 ½ lbs.  Doctors are still trying to figure out the cause.

Because Tommy’s weight has remained stagnant over the past few weeks and there are not many options left, the decision was made to try breast milk again. Although Tommy was given breastmilk initially, it had to be stopped due to other GI complications and the need for IV nutrition.

Despite the generosity of friends and strangers willing to donate their milk, the doctors advised against it due to Tommy’s fragile state and risk of infection.

Enter the donor milk bank where the cost of a week’s worth of milk for Tommy comes with an unimaginable price tag…$1000 for ONE WEEK…Let that sink in, $1000 for ONE WEEK!!!

Now the good news…Tommy has been on this breast milk for a few days and has gained 4 ounces…which for Tommy is HUGE! We are praying the trend doesn’t stop and he can finally start to thrive, but in order for this to continue, Tommy needs your help!

Caroline and Brian are battling hard to try and get this covered by insurance, but it is very challenging and unknown if it will be approved...and as difficult as it is, they are both working full time in order to pay for this and the rest of Tommy’s mounting medical expenses.

A sick child is a parent’s worst nightmare, but all of us would do anything to make them better, no matter what the cost. No one ever expects to be in this situation, but here they are and they need your support.  Please consider helping this sweet boy and his amazing and heroic parents make it through this incredibly difficult time.  Your help and generosity are greatly needed and forever appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read Tommy’s story and for anything you can do to help, whether it’s a donation, prayers, or simply words of encouragement and support…It all makes a difference. On behalf of Tommy and his parents, THANK YOU!!!