Baby Auri’s fearless fight for life

“And though she is but little, she is fierce” - Shakespeare

In the early evening of August 18, 2021 beautiful baby Auri was brought into the world via emergency C-section. Auri was delivered via emergency C-section three weeks early when it was discovered her mommy’s water had broken prematurely and Auri was in a breech position. When Auri was delivered she was bright eyed and stole all our hearts in seconds. Auri’s adoring mommy and daddy, Jeremy Pridgen and Heather Kilgore brought her home 2 days later and settled into their new lives at home. However, it was soon discovered Auri was struggling to feed and regulate her tiny body temperature as she became lethargic…a truly terrifying discovery. Jeremy and Heather rushed Auri to the hospital where we discovered Auri was tongue tied. Doctors put in a feeding tube but Auri wasn’t getting better and the situation was growing more dire. Once she became stable enough for an MRI neurologist discovered a bleed on Auri’s brain. Yesterday, August 27th our tiny warrior and her brave parents were transported to Chapel Hill where baby Auri can receive the best neurological care available.

As we all know, medical care isn’t cheap and neither is travel. Bills don’t stop coming in, medical care isn’t given freely and gas isn’t freely given to parents facing these inconceivable events. Jeremy and Heather are giving every ounce to themselves to baby Auri’s fight. Jeremy is a self employed (and supremely talented!) massage therapist but income only arrives when he’s working-not when he’s dedicating his life to the survival of his beautiful baby warrior.

Heather is facing this overwhelmingly hard struggle as a first time Mommy. Being a first time mother in the most perfect of times is something no one can prepare you for but being a first time mother to a baby fighting for her life facing the unknown, taking the seconds as they come is unthinkably hard. Like any dedicated mother, Heather will not leave sweet Auri’s side, holding baby Auri so she can hear her Mommy’s constant heartbeat, her warmth, her love. For this is what baby Auri needs most…her mommy’s unrelenting love. But this love, this dedication, it comes at a price. Worry. Anxiety. Incredibly difficult choices and challenges. They need help, all our help.

EVERY PENNY COUNTS! Where will these funds go?

• Medical bills
• Tests
• Transportation
• Lodging
• Food
• Future therapies baby Auri will need
• Rent and utilities so this incredible family has a home to come back to after baby Auri wins this battle for her life.

Jeremy is my brother, I’m just a sister DESPERATE to help in the only way I can…spreading the word. For I too have financial burdens and struggles myself. I wish I could pay for everything myself, I wish I could fix everything but I can’t. What I can do is give my time, find and give my support and find as many solutions as possible. I say this because I realize so many people are struggling due to Covid and have needs of their own but your share is worth everything. You CAN help by just sharing this, by showing love, by praying, by giving the 3 seconds it takes to support Auri by simply sharing this story.

YOU can make a difference, YOU can change lives. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!