12yr Old Dana's Brave Battle

At 12 weeks old, Dana Morris endured 11 1/2 hours of open heart surgery.

At 12 Years old, Dana now lies in the Pediatric Intesive Care Unit at Montefiore Children's Hospital, New York, where she has spent the past 7 weeks fighting for her life.

Dana Suffers from serious heart defects, a result of the Williams Syndrome she was born with. During the past 12 years, Dana has undergone many surgeries and cardiac stent procedures to keep her heart functioning adequately.

In February 2011 after what was deemed a successful stent procedure, Dana suffered a massive stroke upon extubation a few days later. She lost her ability to walk or speak as a result, and suffers relentless epileptic seizures.

She has never stopped  smiling.

This exceptional child, so easy to laugh and so loving, has continued to attend the school she enjoys, and to delight in her two younger sisters who adore her. She lightens the hearts of those around her with her joyful spirit.

Unfortunately, on the morning of August 21st Dana went into complete respiratory failure. She remained on life support until October 1st. During the past 7 weeks she again suffered cardiac arrest. She is now breathing with the assistance of a BiPap machine.

Dana's heart is severely enlarged and her advanced scoliosis has damaged her left lung to the point of almost no function. She will require permanent breathing assistance. This little girl remains in a critical state.

Doctors hope Dana can be stabilized and transferred to Children's Specialized Services in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where she will have a long road of intense therapy ahead of her.

And still, she smiles.

Dana's humble and hard-working family has never asked for assistance. The overwhelming medical costs incurred, however, have stretched the family far beyond their means this time.

We hope to ease some of their worry by ensuring Dana can continue to receive the care and therapies she so desperately needs in order to live.

Thank you for any contribution you are able to make.

Dana's smile brightens so many lives. We want to continue to bask in its warmth.