Aloha, my name is Mellanie Spillner, and I’m the mom of five amazing children. Our youngest, Halia-Jean, is just 2 months old, and she has already shown more strength and courage than I could have ever imagined. Her dad, Lanz, and I are doing everything we can to give her the best start in life. We are so grateful for my dad and sister, who have stepped in to help care for my older kids while I focus on Halia’s medical needs.

From the moment she was born, Halia-Jean has faced uphill battles. She came into this world with:

Cleft palate – an opening in the roof of her mouth, making it nearly impossible to eat or drink normally.

Laryngomalacia – a floppy airway that makes every breath a struggle.

Glossoptosis – her tiny tongue falling back into her throat, blocking her airway.

Dysphagia – difficulty swallowing safely, putting her at constant risk of choking

Because of these challenges, Halia spent 42 long days in the NICU. I watched my baby be fed through a small tube in her nose, unable to drink from a bottle like other babies. On July 25th, she had surgery to place a feeding tube directly into her tummy, which finally allowed me to bring her home.

One of her therapists connected me with another mom whose baby had faced the same struggles. She told me about a surgery at Stanford Children’s Hospital called the OAP (Orthodontic Airway Plate). This surgery opens the airway so babies like Halia-Jean can finally breathe and swallow safely.

But here’s the hardest part, this surgery isn’t available in Hawaiʻi, and it must be done before Halia-Jean turns 3 months old. That gives us only a short window of time to get her to California for this procedure.

This will be my first time ever traveling off the island, and I’ll be doing it alone with just Halia in my arms. It’s overwhelming and scary, but I will do whatever it takes for my daughter. While we are grateful for the opportunity, insurance will not cover everything.

As a mom, I’ve always tried to hold everything together for my children. But this journey is bigger than Lanz and I can carry alone. With my dad and sister caring for the older kids at their home, I am reaching out for help.

We are humbly asking for your support, whether through donations, shares, or prayers. Every prayer, every kind word, and every donation brings us one step closer to giving our little girl the care she desperately needs.

From the bottom of our hearts, mahalo nui loa for standing with us during this journey,

Mellanie, Lanz, Hailey, Haizeley, Harley, Healani, and baby Halia Jean