The Journey of Phoenix and his Mum

After a local grief conference for bereaved parents was held in Phoenix this past week a tragedy with one of the conference attendees occurred, a tragedy that needs the valley's financial support.

One of the bereaved mom's from New Zealand, Amanda, preparing for her return trip home, suddenly fell ill and was rushed to a local hospital. Being the sole remaining mom from New Zealand left here in town, a group of local bereaved moms came together to support her so she wouldn't be alone. She was prematurely discharged from that hospital while in preterm labor. Having been through similar situations with bad outcomes, the mothers refused to take Amanda back to her hotel room to wait it out. They immediately rushed her to Banner Desert hospital in Mesa and was welcomed with warm and open hearts.

Amanda was indeed in pre-term labor and delivered her 17 week old beautiful baby boy this past Tuesday, Oct 9. He did not survive and she was rushed into emergency surgery. Amanda's husband Gary, named their son Phoenix. This couple has now lost 4 children in a row - completely unimaginable.......Their precious daughter Amelia was born and lived for just 17 minutes only 9 months ago. 

This special group of women have been by this mom's side the entire time - in the delivery room and Skyping with dad. Amanda was discharged from the hospital the evening of October 11, also her Birthday.  

Here is where I'd like to ask for your help. These fellow mom's who have been by Amanda's side are trying to raise $4K so that one of them can accompany Amanda on the filght in 3-4 days. (You may have met Joey Johnson at conference, she lost her precious son, Jack, at 20 weeks - she will be the one to travel with Amanda)........as you know the flight to New Zealand is 20 hours and for Amanda's emotional and physical well-being needs the care and companionship of another mom who truly knows of this agony....Sweet Baby Phoenix is going to be cremated and Amanda will be able to bring him home with her, Thanks to the kind offer from locally owned Messinger Mortuaries and Chapels who are covering the costs.

Please help us get this Beautiful Mom and Baby Phoenix home to New Zealand safely into her families anxious and awaking arms.

If by chance we don't raise enough money for the companion ticket, we will then give any money raised to Amanda's family to help with expenses due to the loss.