Declan’s Treasure Chest
Treasure. There is no other word that aptly describes the beautiful soul that was Alita Rumph. She was selfless, loving, kind, and bountifully generous.
A loving and devoted wife, she fervently dreamed to give her husband a child. Finally, after over twelve years, this dream became a reality. Chris and Alita would have their child! It was an answer to prayer, and a dream fulfilled.
The sweet nature of their story took a bitter turn, however, when at the beginning of the pregnancy Alita was also diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. In what was nothing less than an act of epic heroism, Alita refused any treatments for this deadly disease. Knowing full well that this diagnosis might result in her own death, Alita, modeling the life of the Savior she unwaveringly served, chose to lay down her life for the life of her son. Just as heroically, she unequivocally rejected any thoughts of aborting their long-awaited gift in order to preserve her own life.
This heroic saga took more tragic turns, as Alita’s body, desperately trying to keep both itself and the baby alive, battled more than the cancer. Diagnosed with both gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, Alita’s body battled with every reserve of strength and fortitude available.
Together, Chris and his treasure, Alita, stood strongly and fought valiantly for the life of their miracle child.
On April 24th, at 6:05 p.m., Declan Christopher Asher Rumph was born. What joy this brought to these amazing folks! Yet the heroic nature of this saga was still being written.
Declan was born 31 days before his due date. This miracle boy immediately took on the very nature of the mother who birthed him. For the next 26 days, Declan Christopher Asher, whose name means “man of prayer, Christ-anointed, happy and blessed,” fought as valiantly for his own life as his mother had fought for him. For the first 25 days of his life, Declan lived in the NICU, each day winning a new battle that would bring him closer to survival.
Alita and Chris continued their battle as well, as they devoted every minute of their lives to giving their dream and miracle every chance to live.
Joyously, Declan survived, and was able to come home on May 19th, one week before his original due date. He came home fully developed, and with no further health concerns.
Meanwhile, the tragic nature of the story was not yet fully written. Alita’s body remained under brutal attack by the cancer that now literally racked her body with pain. Further testing revealed that the cancer had spread throughout her body, and there was little to nothing the doctors could do to save her.
Desperately, Chris and Alita prayed and believed for another miracle. However, for reasons no one fully understands, God chose to bring His treasure home to be with him. Forever thankful for the five and a half months God granted them together, Alita passed over to the arms of her Savior on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m., with her loving husband at her side.
We grieve for our loss, and rejoice with her as she experiences her eternal reward. Yet in all of this, we realize that the story is not over. Chris and baby Declan still remain with us. They will have many struggles to face together. While their story is full of tragedy, we would like to help be a part of the story turning from tragedy to triumph.
Chris, in caring and battling for his treasure Alita and their joint treasure, Declan, has put on hold his business, and therefore all sources of income. Alita’s job as a teacher provided the only benefits their family had. Now Chris faces the uphill climb to determine how these things will now be provided.
Chris and Declan do not need the stress of carrying such heavy load alone at this time. There is a great future ahead for them, and in order to secure this future, we would love to raise enough financial resources to help sustain them and provide something to get them started.
Alita was treasured by all who knew her. Let’s give from the treasure of our hearts to the legacy of treasure she leaves behind, by donating what we can to “Declan’s Treasure Chest.”
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
Treasure. There is no other word that aptly describes the beautiful soul that was Alita Rumph. She was selfless, loving, kind, and bountifully generous.
A loving and devoted wife, she fervently dreamed to give her husband a child. Finally, after over twelve years, this dream became a reality. Chris and Alita would have their child! It was an answer to prayer, and a dream fulfilled.
The sweet nature of their story took a bitter turn, however, when at the beginning of the pregnancy Alita was also diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. In what was nothing less than an act of epic heroism, Alita refused any treatments for this deadly disease. Knowing full well that this diagnosis might result in her own death, Alita, modeling the life of the Savior she unwaveringly served, chose to lay down her life for the life of her son. Just as heroically, she unequivocally rejected any thoughts of aborting their long-awaited gift in order to preserve her own life.
This heroic saga took more tragic turns, as Alita’s body, desperately trying to keep both itself and the baby alive, battled more than the cancer. Diagnosed with both gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, Alita’s body battled with every reserve of strength and fortitude available.
Together, Chris and his treasure, Alita, stood strongly and fought valiantly for the life of their miracle child.
On April 24th, at 6:05 p.m., Declan Christopher Asher Rumph was born. What joy this brought to these amazing folks! Yet the heroic nature of this saga was still being written.
Declan was born 31 days before his due date. This miracle boy immediately took on the very nature of the mother who birthed him. For the next 26 days, Declan Christopher Asher, whose name means “man of prayer, Christ-anointed, happy and blessed,” fought as valiantly for his own life as his mother had fought for him. For the first 25 days of his life, Declan lived in the NICU, each day winning a new battle that would bring him closer to survival.
Alita and Chris continued their battle as well, as they devoted every minute of their lives to giving their dream and miracle every chance to live.
Joyously, Declan survived, and was able to come home on May 19th, one week before his original due date. He came home fully developed, and with no further health concerns.
Meanwhile, the tragic nature of the story was not yet fully written. Alita’s body remained under brutal attack by the cancer that now literally racked her body with pain. Further testing revealed that the cancer had spread throughout her body, and there was little to nothing the doctors could do to save her.
Desperately, Chris and Alita prayed and believed for another miracle. However, for reasons no one fully understands, God chose to bring His treasure home to be with him. Forever thankful for the five and a half months God granted them together, Alita passed over to the arms of her Savior on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m., with her loving husband at her side.
We grieve for our loss, and rejoice with her as she experiences her eternal reward. Yet in all of this, we realize that the story is not over. Chris and baby Declan still remain with us. They will have many struggles to face together. While their story is full of tragedy, we would like to help be a part of the story turning from tragedy to triumph.
Chris, in caring and battling for his treasure Alita and their joint treasure, Declan, has put on hold his business, and therefore all sources of income. Alita’s job as a teacher provided the only benefits their family had. Now Chris faces the uphill climb to determine how these things will now be provided.
Chris and Declan do not need the stress of carrying such heavy load alone at this time. There is a great future ahead for them, and in order to secure this future, we would love to raise enough financial resources to help sustain them and provide something to get them started.
Alita was treasured by all who knew her. Let’s give from the treasure of our hearts to the legacy of treasure she leaves behind, by donating what we can to “Declan’s Treasure Chest.”
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
Organizer and beneficiary
Christopher Rumph
Beneficiary