Denali's Journey


Chelsea developed complications with her pregnancy at 29 weeks and was transported by Life Flight to Salt Lake City. Denali was born preterm at 30 weeks on July 25, 2016. She has been in the neonatal intennsive care unit since birth, the majority of the time on a ventilator due to immature lungs. Immediately after birth she had complications of low blood sugar and after extensive testing has been diagnosed with congential hyperinsulinemia. She has fought through sepsis and pneumonia several times during her short time with us, but her biggest fight is ahead of her. On October 20th, 2016 Denali and Chelsea were flown to CHOP (Children's Hispital of Philadelphia) to undergo additional testing to determine a treatment plan to cure or manage this condition. Testing is scheduled for this upcoming week. Due to Denali's complications, Chelsea has been unable to return to work and therfore her insurance has terminated. Jake has been working during the week to keep his insurance intact and had been driving to Salt Lake City every weekend (6 hour round trip) to spend time with Chelsea and baby Denali. We have so many questions and unfortabely very few answers that only time will provide. The medical bills alone are staggering. Chelsea and Jake are a hard working couple that will work through all this and eventually get back on their feet, but could really use some help and assistance right now. Any funds raised will go towards paying medical expenses for Denali. We thank you in advance for your support, thoughts, and prayers.