Donation protected
Gracey Mae was born on October 14, 2011. The pregnancy was normal and there was no indication she had any issues. However, when she was born she wasn’t breathing and had to be brought back to life. It was an absolute miracle she survived. She was rushed to the NICU and received oxygen for 3 days. She finally began breathing on her own and we were able to go home after 5 days in the hospital. As she grew older we realized she was not meeting milestones as quickly has her older brother and friends her age. At 15 months she was flagged for Autism and our journey began.
After multiple genetic tests, psychological evaluations, and an MRI, our neurologist concluded she had received brain damage due to lack of oxygen at birth and was diagnosed with a Global Developmental Delay and Language delay. Despite her limitations, we had faith she would improve, and one day be able to say “I love you”.
We immediately began therapy and started looking into alternative medicine. Thankfully, on a whim or because of fate, we stored her cord and tissue blood at birth. Our neurologist shared with us success stories of infusing cord blood into the body and using those stem cells to repair areas of damage. Unfortunately, we did not qualify for any of the local research studies. So we continued on with therapy. After a year of therapy she has made remarkable improvements in mobility and cognitive skills, but there is still a long road ahead.
We kept our faith that someday we would have the chance to use her cord blood and just a week ago received some excellent news. She was accepted into a study through Duke University!!!! We are so excited for this opportunity but only have 2 weeks to raise enough money to afford the flight from California to North Carolina. The medical costs are covered but travel costs are limited.
Please take a moment to share our story. We hope this infusion, along with her early intervention therapies, will give her the ability to communicate and be the best she can be. She is an amazing, loving girl, who has beaten the odds and continues to show us just how valuable life is.
After multiple genetic tests, psychological evaluations, and an MRI, our neurologist concluded she had received brain damage due to lack of oxygen at birth and was diagnosed with a Global Developmental Delay and Language delay. Despite her limitations, we had faith she would improve, and one day be able to say “I love you”.
We immediately began therapy and started looking into alternative medicine. Thankfully, on a whim or because of fate, we stored her cord and tissue blood at birth. Our neurologist shared with us success stories of infusing cord blood into the body and using those stem cells to repair areas of damage. Unfortunately, we did not qualify for any of the local research studies. So we continued on with therapy. After a year of therapy she has made remarkable improvements in mobility and cognitive skills, but there is still a long road ahead.
We kept our faith that someday we would have the chance to use her cord blood and just a week ago received some excellent news. She was accepted into a study through Duke University!!!! We are so excited for this opportunity but only have 2 weeks to raise enough money to afford the flight from California to North Carolina. The medical costs are covered but travel costs are limited.
Please take a moment to share our story. We hope this infusion, along with her early intervention therapies, will give her the ability to communicate and be the best she can be. She is an amazing, loving girl, who has beaten the odds and continues to show us just how valuable life is.
Organizer
Casey Mae Donnel
Organizer
Lincoln, CA