Help Remi Raine Battle a Rare Lung Disease

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters of the Estrine-Turesky family:

We are reaching on behalf of Karen and Derek with a story that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Remi Raine Turesky, not even one year old, is a joyful and resilient angel who brightens every room with her beautiful smile and laughter. Despite her young age, Remi is fighting a battle that no child should ever face – a rare and challenging lung disease that has turned the family’s life upside down.

Remi has been struggling with her health for nine months, but doctors did NOT recognize how very sick she was until 11/19/2023 where she had a hospital stay and Nicklaus Children’s in Miami, Florida that was much longer and scarier than anticipated.

Remi is very sick and is suffering from the effects of having low oxygen. Medical teams are still trying to figure out exactly what type of rare lung disease she has. From the moment Remi has been hospitalized, her days are filled with doctor’s consultations, needle pokes, IVs, lab & radiology testing, 24/7 oxygen therapy, and the constant uncertainty that comes with rare conditions. Despite these challenges, Remi continues to amaze everyone with her strength and spirit.

If any of you know Karen and Derek, they NEVER ask for help. That is why we, their friends, are asking FOR them. Karen was pregnant with BOTH Ellie and Remi during the COVID-19 pandemic when she risked her own health to save lives in the emergency department during a time when people weren’t even leaving their homes.

They take on so much, but they are struggling. Derek is trying to keep his private practice for his therapy patients going, but Karen has not been able to work for the past month and doesn’t know when she can return to work. Unfortunately, her contract is set up in such a way that there is no FMLA, no personal leave, no extra support from either job financially, or in any other way. If Karen is able to go back to work at any point, she works at 2 different emergency departments with day and night shifts that require her to be gone from the home for over 16 hours door-to-door…all while Remi requires 24/7 care and monitoring.

The financial burden of Remi's medical care is immense and growing. Remi’s health insurance is private, as neither parent receives health insurance through work. The costs are exorbitantly high and the coverage is minimal. Remi now requires expensive medical equipment such as a portable oxygen condenser, cardiac monitoring system, respiratory and apnea monitors. There is probably so much more that the family does not yet even know about. Due to her rare lung disease, Remi will need to travel out of state to specialty hospitals that do not take the family’s insurance. Most medical costs will be out of pocket. Remi will likely need a visiting nurse and other services in the home in order to keep her stable.

The cost of specialized care and treatments, ongoing medication, medical supplies, and potential surgeries are more than they can handle.

Please, family, friends, community, compassionate strangers – help Remi in her fight. Karen and Derek also have another daughter, Ellie, who is three years old to which they must give love and attention.

Your donation, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in Remi's life. It will help cover her medical expenses, support her family during this challenging time, and most importantly, ensure that Remi continues to receive the best care possible.

Please come together to give Remi the chance to grow up and live the full, beautiful life she deserves. This world is a better place with Remi in it.

Your support means more than just financial assistance; it's a beacon of hope for Remi and her family.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and for being a part of Remi's journey.

With love and heartfelt gratitude.

Please support their rainbow Baby, Remi Raine Turesky