Baby Goodness Needs Your Help Today

Hi all! This baby and I need your help. I met his mom in Ghana when she was pregnant in 2023. Our friendship started there.

On January 27th, 2024, Goodness was born and diagnosed with Prune Belly Syndrome. It's a rare, complicated syndrome that I had never heard of. After doing some research, I discovered that there is a wide spectrum of severity. Treatment and prognosis vary, but in Ghana, treatment requires money, which his family needs help with.

In October 2024, his mom texted me to ask what she could feed baby Goodness. He had lost a lot of weight. At 9 months old, he was the approximate weight of a newborn. I'm a pediatric and nursery nurse, but did not know how to advise on what to feed the baby, especially because doctors told her he had chronic kidney disease and they don't have all the special formulas that we have in the US.

To make a long story short, among other things, I encouraged her to take him to a local hospital. She took him there 4 times in the following week. It was a challenge for me, not knowing their medical system well, as I thought the baby would have been admitted to the hospital each time, but he wasn't. On the evening of the last visit, Goodness became severely ill. He was having trouble breathing and his mental state was very altered. In order to save his life that day, I sent money for the mom and baby to travel over 4 hours to a larger hospital in Accra, Ghana and for admission to the hospital. I was concerned that he wouldn't even make it to the hospital after seeing him via video chat during the ride, but he made it! University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC) saved his life that day!

He was treated as an inpatient for about a week that time and has had several visits along with a few admissions since. The current plan is for him to have at least one surgery (but probably more) at some point after his 1st birthday, which is coming up! January 27th!

I have been a single mom for many years and am also a registered nurse. I am not wealthy, but will not abandon this baby and family in time of need. I have been paying for his medical care and will continue at this time. I do not know what the cost of surgery will be or what the future will bring, although one doctor told the family that the surgery may cost up to 150,000 Ghana cedis, which is over $10,000. I would greatly appreciate any help you can offer. Any amount helps! You wouldn't believe how far the US dollar goes in Ghana!

People have expressed concern that I am being scammed. I understand the concern and also know that is not the case. I have met with this mom in person multiple times. We often video chat and she sends photos of all bills and receipts. I have also interacted with staff at UGMC.

If you can't help now, but may be able to in the future, please keep us in mind. Taking care of Goodness will most likely not only be short-term. Costs will definitely be in the thousands, but we are unable to even predict estimates at this time.

The family of Goodness and I will be grateful for any help you can offer! Financial help and prayers appreciated!

Please take a moment to look up Prune Belly Syndrome for more information on this difficult diagnosis.

As a mom, there is nothing more important than my children. I can't imagine what this wonderful mom(and family) is going through. Please help me help them. 100% of donations will go towards medical care for sweet Goodness.