Donation protected
Hi friends,
There’s no way to start this without saying thank you first. Thank you for clicking on this page and opening your heart. If you know Trent, Ellen and now, their wee baby, Hallie, then you may know why this page exists. If you do not, allow me to explain why this family deserves a donation from every person who is reading this right now.
Trent and Ellen had been like any other couple, awaiting their new born baby with anticipation, terrific anxiety, and delight.
Then lightning didn’t just strike once. It struck twice.
Early on, doctors saw the baby had Spinda Bifida, a birth defect that occurs in 1500-2000 of the 4 million babies born in the US every year. In these rare cases, the back bone/spine do not form properly, causing malfunction in other parts of the body. Basically, all the wires in our bodies that control parts of our legs, back, bladder and brain go through this sort of canal, and Hallie’s didn’t form correctly.
Furthermore, in some instances (like this one) the spinal sac that holds the spinal cords and nerves, poke out of the baby’s back, left open to further damage or infection.
If you understand science, here: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spinabifida/facts.html
This did not deter Trent and Ellen’s unwavering commitment to their newest family member. They both cared deeply about persons with disabilities, and hope dictated that this baby was, actually, just meant to be theirs.
Now the second lightning bolt.
At first it was misdiagnosed as Epstein’s Anomaly, but Hallie’s actual congenital heart defect was discovered after her birth this week. Pulmonary atresia occurs in 1 out of every 7700 new born babies. There’s a very important valve in our hearts that helps us pump blood to our lungs, then that blood is oxygen rich and gets sent to other parts of our body. Hallie’s very important valve in her heart didn’t form fully, so her lungs aren’t getting enough blood, and the rest of her is not getting enough oxygen. Your heart, your lungs, and oxygen are rather important part of your body.
if you understand science, here https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/pulmonaryatresia.html
So, two rare illnesses in a little baby. Where’s the freaking good news, you ask?
40 years ago, these diseases could be fatal and fast. However, the advancements that have occurred means Hallie has a great shot at a fulfilling life with her amazing parents.
That being said, here is the reality of Baby Bowman’s situation. Hallie is scheduled for her first open heart surgery two days after being born. She will have spinal surgery six days after she is born. She may have more surgeries. She will need medication. She may need physical therapy. Her parents will need psychological therapy. Her parents have been seeing specialists since this lightening storm struck them twice. Even with insurance, the cost of medical care in this country....you know the rest.
Raising a baby is expensive and tough enough. Trent and Ellen are some of the best people in the world, with the kindest hearts. They would give their baby the world if they could. And they still can if we can give THEM a security blanket as the medical bills start coming in.
Trent and Ellen may have forgotten to send thank you cards out after their wedding, but please know that any little help is appreciated from the bottom of their hearts. And Hallie’s too, even if it needs a tune up.
In conclusion, a new born baby is having open heart and spinal surgery this week. Please, let’s not have her go through all this and be $200,000 in debt
This isn’t a matter of fighting death, it is about giving life.
A thing like this isn’t about charity, it is about family.
Thank you for taking the time to read about Hallie Bowman and her parents, Trent and Ellen. Please consider donating.
There will also be a literal fundraiser in Chicago at Kaiser Tiger on December 8th at 7 PM. Donations will be accepted at this event and there will be a silent auction of all kinds of goodies. For more information or if you have something you’d like to donate as an auction item, please e-mail Martha Casper at [email redacted]
There’s no way to start this without saying thank you first. Thank you for clicking on this page and opening your heart. If you know Trent, Ellen and now, their wee baby, Hallie, then you may know why this page exists. If you do not, allow me to explain why this family deserves a donation from every person who is reading this right now.
Trent and Ellen had been like any other couple, awaiting their new born baby with anticipation, terrific anxiety, and delight.
Then lightning didn’t just strike once. It struck twice.
Early on, doctors saw the baby had Spinda Bifida, a birth defect that occurs in 1500-2000 of the 4 million babies born in the US every year. In these rare cases, the back bone/spine do not form properly, causing malfunction in other parts of the body. Basically, all the wires in our bodies that control parts of our legs, back, bladder and brain go through this sort of canal, and Hallie’s didn’t form correctly.
Furthermore, in some instances (like this one) the spinal sac that holds the spinal cords and nerves, poke out of the baby’s back, left open to further damage or infection.
If you understand science, here: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spinabifida/facts.html
This did not deter Trent and Ellen’s unwavering commitment to their newest family member. They both cared deeply about persons with disabilities, and hope dictated that this baby was, actually, just meant to be theirs.
Now the second lightning bolt.
At first it was misdiagnosed as Epstein’s Anomaly, but Hallie’s actual congenital heart defect was discovered after her birth this week. Pulmonary atresia occurs in 1 out of every 7700 new born babies. There’s a very important valve in our hearts that helps us pump blood to our lungs, then that blood is oxygen rich and gets sent to other parts of our body. Hallie’s very important valve in her heart didn’t form fully, so her lungs aren’t getting enough blood, and the rest of her is not getting enough oxygen. Your heart, your lungs, and oxygen are rather important part of your body.
if you understand science, here https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/pulmonaryatresia.html
So, two rare illnesses in a little baby. Where’s the freaking good news, you ask?
40 years ago, these diseases could be fatal and fast. However, the advancements that have occurred means Hallie has a great shot at a fulfilling life with her amazing parents.
That being said, here is the reality of Baby Bowman’s situation. Hallie is scheduled for her first open heart surgery two days after being born. She will have spinal surgery six days after she is born. She may have more surgeries. She will need medication. She may need physical therapy. Her parents will need psychological therapy. Her parents have been seeing specialists since this lightening storm struck them twice. Even with insurance, the cost of medical care in this country....you know the rest.
Raising a baby is expensive and tough enough. Trent and Ellen are some of the best people in the world, with the kindest hearts. They would give their baby the world if they could. And they still can if we can give THEM a security blanket as the medical bills start coming in.
Trent and Ellen may have forgotten to send thank you cards out after their wedding, but please know that any little help is appreciated from the bottom of their hearts. And Hallie’s too, even if it needs a tune up.
In conclusion, a new born baby is having open heart and spinal surgery this week. Please, let’s not have her go through all this and be $200,000 in debt
This isn’t a matter of fighting death, it is about giving life.
A thing like this isn’t about charity, it is about family.
Thank you for taking the time to read about Hallie Bowman and her parents, Trent and Ellen. Please consider donating.
There will also be a literal fundraiser in Chicago at Kaiser Tiger on December 8th at 7 PM. Donations will be accepted at this event and there will be a silent auction of all kinds of goodies. For more information or if you have something you’d like to donate as an auction item, please e-mail Martha Casper at [email redacted]
Organizer and beneficiary
Martha Casper
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Ellen Bowman
Beneficiary