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As soon-to-be new parents, Britnie and Kagen will be supporting their newborn baby through open heart surgery, all while navigating long commutes, extended time apart, and the uncertainties and health risks exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope by coming together as a community, we can help ease Britnie and Kagen’s financial burden and offer them meaningful, tangible support during an emotionally and physically taxing time. We aim to raise $5,000 to assist Britnie and Kagen with the following unforeseen expenses:
• Takeout Food ($50/day)
• Groceries ($300/month)
• Golden Gate Bridge Toll ($7.70/day)
• UCSF Patient Parking ($20/day)
• Gas ($200/month)
• Potential Hotel Stays ($90-$250/night)
• Potential Medical expenses after exceeding insurance Out-of-Pocket maximums
Camden’s Story: Britnie and Kagen are excited to welcome their baby, Camden Hopkins, into the world on August 20th; however, they are also preparing to support Camden through multiple surgeries needed for a severe heart defect. At 19 weeks, Britnie and Kagen got the unfortunate news that Camden had not developed a crucial piece of his heart: his left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping blood to the rest of his body. Back in March, they were told that their baby would possibly need a small procedure at birth. 10 weeks later in June, doctors informed them that his condition had advanced severely, and would now require at least 3 surgeries before his third birthday, beginning with open heart surgery during his first week of life.
While Britnie and Kagen are extremely fortunate to have medical insurance that will cover the cost of Camden’s most immediate medical needs, there are a number of unforeseen costs associated with the initial surgery that insurance will not cover, including commuting expenses, potential hotel stays, and meals away from home. Camden’s open heart surgery and recovery time are expected to take at least one month. During this time, he will be required to stay at the NICU at UCSF - the hospital and medical staff that can provide the best care for baby Camden. Unfortunately, due to extra Covid-19 precautions, Britnie and Kagen are ineligible for any UCSF housing options normally available to parents with children in the NICU. Additionally, UCSF is allowing only one family member in the NICU at all times, meaning that Britnie and Kagen will spend their first month as new parents apart from each other to ensure that one of them can always be with their son. They will be using one car to trade places back and forth between the hospital and their home over 40 miles away.
Britnie and Kagen have taken every piece of news with grace and humility, while still finding many moments of beauty, joy, and love throughout this tumultuous journey. Though we as a community cannot heal Camden’s heart, we can still offer support during this difficult time. We are asking friends and family who love Britnie and Kagen dearly to help ease their financial burden so they can give all their attention to baby Camden.
The Road Ahead: If Camden’s surgery is successful, which will take place within one week after birth, he will spend a minimum of three weeks recovering in the NICU. He will then come home with his parents, on a variety of medications as well as a feeding tube. Britnie and Kagen will need to monitor his oxygen levels and weight each day to help him grow and stay healthy. His second surgery is set to take place when he is four months old, which is intended to stabilize his heart until he is three years old, at which time he will need a third surgery.
We deeply appreciate your love and compassion for the Hopkins family. You can support them by:
1. Contributing towards our community donation; any amount - big or small - helps!
2. Sharing their story, and this page, with family and friends. (Facebook, Instagram, email, text, and word of mouth!)
3. Sending good thoughts and prayers of strength, love, and resilience to Britnie, Kagen, and baby Camden.
If you prefer to send money to Britnie and Kagen directly, they can accept funds through Venmo: @Britnie-Hopkins.
• Takeout Food ($50/day)
• Groceries ($300/month)
• Golden Gate Bridge Toll ($7.70/day)
• UCSF Patient Parking ($20/day)
• Gas ($200/month)
• Potential Hotel Stays ($90-$250/night)
• Potential Medical expenses after exceeding insurance Out-of-Pocket maximums
Camden’s Story: Britnie and Kagen are excited to welcome their baby, Camden Hopkins, into the world on August 20th; however, they are also preparing to support Camden through multiple surgeries needed for a severe heart defect. At 19 weeks, Britnie and Kagen got the unfortunate news that Camden had not developed a crucial piece of his heart: his left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping blood to the rest of his body. Back in March, they were told that their baby would possibly need a small procedure at birth. 10 weeks later in June, doctors informed them that his condition had advanced severely, and would now require at least 3 surgeries before his third birthday, beginning with open heart surgery during his first week of life.
While Britnie and Kagen are extremely fortunate to have medical insurance that will cover the cost of Camden’s most immediate medical needs, there are a number of unforeseen costs associated with the initial surgery that insurance will not cover, including commuting expenses, potential hotel stays, and meals away from home. Camden’s open heart surgery and recovery time are expected to take at least one month. During this time, he will be required to stay at the NICU at UCSF - the hospital and medical staff that can provide the best care for baby Camden. Unfortunately, due to extra Covid-19 precautions, Britnie and Kagen are ineligible for any UCSF housing options normally available to parents with children in the NICU. Additionally, UCSF is allowing only one family member in the NICU at all times, meaning that Britnie and Kagen will spend their first month as new parents apart from each other to ensure that one of them can always be with their son. They will be using one car to trade places back and forth between the hospital and their home over 40 miles away.
Britnie and Kagen have taken every piece of news with grace and humility, while still finding many moments of beauty, joy, and love throughout this tumultuous journey. Though we as a community cannot heal Camden’s heart, we can still offer support during this difficult time. We are asking friends and family who love Britnie and Kagen dearly to help ease their financial burden so they can give all their attention to baby Camden.
The Road Ahead: If Camden’s surgery is successful, which will take place within one week after birth, he will spend a minimum of three weeks recovering in the NICU. He will then come home with his parents, on a variety of medications as well as a feeding tube. Britnie and Kagen will need to monitor his oxygen levels and weight each day to help him grow and stay healthy. His second surgery is set to take place when he is four months old, which is intended to stabilize his heart until he is three years old, at which time he will need a third surgery.
We deeply appreciate your love and compassion for the Hopkins family. You can support them by:
1. Contributing towards our community donation; any amount - big or small - helps!
2. Sharing their story, and this page, with family and friends. (Facebook, Instagram, email, text, and word of mouth!)
3. Sending good thoughts and prayers of strength, love, and resilience to Britnie, Kagen, and baby Camden.
If you prefer to send money to Britnie and Kagen directly, they can accept funds through Venmo: @Britnie-Hopkins.