Annabelle McGuigan

Annabelle is a sunny five-year-old who was happily attending preschool and spending time with her family - until she suddenly and inexplicably started developing muscle weakness. Annabelle's condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring immediate hospitalization in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for several weeks. The medical tests have yielded no diagnosis, and her prognosis is unclear.  She is at a top children's hospital in the country, but there is no roadmap, no timeline, and she faces an uncertain future.


Sweet Annabelle's condition has left her without the ability to eat, walk, or talk. Assuming she remains stable, she will need to begin physical rehabilitation to relearn things that were normal just two months ago. This process will likely take weeks or even months. She will remain hospitalized for this rehabilitation while doctors continue to research and investigate possible rare illnesses, diseases, and disorders to give the family answers.


Annabelle's parents, Jenn and Andrew, have had to take leave from their jobs to be there around the clock for Annabelle. It is a scary time for this family, but we can ease their burden by alleviating financial stress. They are a dual earning family, but only one of them has paid family medical leave (up to four months). The loss of income during this time is already creating significant financial stress. The high level of uncertainty that means they cannot even begin to plan to return to work.


Please give to this family if you can, many thanks.