My name is Denina Lalla, and I’m currently writing this from the hospital while staying beside my newborn daughter in the NICU.

I was pregnant with twins, a little boy and a little girl. Tragically, our son Atilla passed away. Our daughter Astra survived and is now receiving care in the NICU, where doctors expect she will need to stay for at least three weeks, possibly longer.

This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. While we are grieving the loss of Atilla, we are also trying to stay strong for Astra while she fights and grows stronger every day.

This loss is especially painful because it is not our first. In 2021, we lost another baby, Athea. Experiencing the loss of another child while caring for a newborn in intensive care has been overwhelming in every way—emotionally, physically, and financially.

Because Astra must remain in the hospital, I am staying here with her as much as possible while we navigate daily expenses, time away from work, travel, food, and the many unexpected costs that come with a prolonged NICU stay and cremation arrangements.

I created this fundraiser to ask for help during this incredibly fragile time. Any support—whether through a donation or simply sharing this page—means more to our family than words can express.

Thank you for helping us honor Atilla’s memory while supporting Astra as she continues to fight and grow stronger each day.