I am reaching out on behalf of Caitlyn Lilya and Marc Dinkins and their family. (Oakes 3 months and Maddox 4 years old)

This is their story

Our lives changed at 29 weeks pregnant, when our son was diagnosed with a VSD (Ventricular septal defect) meaning he had a hole in his heart. Marc and I were not expecting to hear this news at one of our ultrasounds. Doctors explained to us that this is something that would possibly need a repair but wouldn’t know more until he was born. Due to a high risk pregnancy I had to resign from my job at 30 weeks pregnant and focus on mine and my baby's health. After undergoing a C-section Oakes was born on 2-22-25. Since birth he has gone through several echos and doctor appointments to confirm that surgery was going to be needed to repair the hole and this was something that wouldn’t close on its own. Doctors were hoping to do the surgery when Oakes was around 6 months old but God had other plans. Around 8 weeks old he started to show symptoms of the VSD. Some of the symptoms are fluid around the lungs, having a hard time breathing and sweating. Those symptoms have brought us to the emergency room on multiple occasions now. So surgery was scheduled for June 5th but, these episodes of symptoms have made doctors move the surgery date to a June 2. They also now are wanting to admit him several days (May 29th)before surgery.

Because of his condition I was not able to return to work until after Oakes's surgery and recovery is complete. Marc is the sole provider for our family.

While he is having surgery we are losing out on our only income due to not enough PTO. Marc and I normally try not to ask for help but we want to make sure that bills are covered so we can put our main focus on Oakes's recovery.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read our story. God blessed us with amazing family and friends.

With any left over funds we will be donating them to the Ronald McDonald house and Camp Odayin. For those who don’t know Camp Odayin is a community for kids with heart conditions and their families.