Hi, my name is Cheri, and along with Joe, Candi and Ryan, we are fundraising for our grandson Dawson Kay and his family.

Christmas 2021.

Lisa was informed that the baby was measuring a few weeks behind during a routine pregnancy checkup. Doctors would now monitor the rest of the pregnancy more closely to rule out Intrauterine Growth Restriction. At the beginning of 2022, doctors informed Lisa that the baby was now four weeks behind in growth and that she would have to have ultrasounds and NST(Non-Stress Test) performed twice a week at Kamloops hospital. During one of these ultrasounds, a Technician discovered what they thought was a heart issue. Both Lisa and Steven were sent to the Children's hospital in Vancouver for a special Echocardiogram on the baby, confirming Tetralogy of Fallot(the main concern being a hole between the heart chambers). Plans were then set up for early delivery and close monitoring in Vancouver, where specialized Doctors would be on hand for intervention if needed.

The induction date was set for March 28th; however, Lisa was well on her way(labor had started naturally) upon arrival. Lisa, at the time, was 37 weeks and the baby's growth measured 33 weeks.

On March 29, 2022, Dawson was born at 8:05 am, weighing 5 lbs 2 ozs.

Although Doctors only knew of the heart condition, they quickly realized that Dawson had many other issues not detected before birth. Dawson was diagnosed with an extremely rare chromosome disorder known as 1q43-q44 deletion syndrome(less than 55 people worldwide have it, and very little is known about it).

After many complications in the following two weeks, Dawson had his first surgery, where a stent was placed in his pulmonary artery. Although this procedure was a success, he had complications following the surgery, resulting in weeks in the PICU. Dawson has recently been upgraded from PICU to the Cardiology ward at Children's Hospital and seems to be progressing every day.

When released from the Children's Hospital, Dawson will require monthly checkups until his first major heart surgery at approximately six months old to repair the hole in his heart. At the success of this, he will have, at minimum, yearly checkups, where he and his family will be required to travel to the Children's Hospital in Vancouver. On top of Dawson's heart surgeries throughout his life, he will need other corrective procedures/surgeries and checkups, as it is not just a heart issue for him.

With being diagnosed as having the 1q43-q44 Deletion Syndrome(and no two cases being alike), there is no way of knowing what symptoms Dawson will acquire throughout his life.

Lisa and Steven have been amazingly strong throughout all of this and have had the support of family. However, financially it's been hard for everyone. With upcoming visits, travel to and from the Children's Hospital and local medical appointments, the need for Steven to take more time off work to help Dawson get settled in at home(when he is released from the Children's Hospital and is able to go home), and home medical care all adds to this financial hardship. We are graciously asking for some help.

Dawson has a long road ahead of him(as do mommy and daddy). He has proven to be such a little fighter, and we hope to continue to help whenever and however we can.

The funds raised here will help with travel expenses to and from appointments and surgeries, household bills and food(when away from home for extended periods for surgeries and medical procedures), any specialized medical equipment/apparatus/medications, and home care.

If you are unable to help financially, please share!!!!!!!

We thank you all in advance❤️