When David and Rosie Hernandez announced their second child's pregnancy, it seemed as if life was paying a debt owed to a family who had just undergone one of the biggest tests of faith – the risk of losing a child to #heartfailure.

To fully comprehend this family's journey, you’ll have to start at the beginning. When they welcomed their first daughter, Lily Jane Hernandez, to the world on May 15, 2021, Lily represented an answered prayer and living result of God’s love, favor, and faithfulness. On a Tuesday afternoon, four weeks after bringing Lily home from the hospital, she exhibited noticeable breathing issues resulting in an emergency visit to the pediatrician. David and Rosie left the pediatricain's office in an ambulance to a nearby hospital where cardiologists evaluated Lily's condition and determined she was experiencing #heartfailure. Lily narrowly avoided being placed on ECMO (a form of life support) but within 48 hours was transferred via plane to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX. While there, Lily would medically max out on medications and need a berlin heart pump to make her a viable candidate for a heart transplant. On Nov. 30, #becauseofadonor Lily received her new heart and a second chance at life.

While at TCH, David and Rosie learned through genetics counseling that they were not carriers of the genetic mutation RYR2 responsible for Lily's #dilatedcardiomyopathy, which was the cause of her heart failure. As a #heartdad and #heartmom, David and Rosie welcomed their second pregnancy, a baby boy named Luke, with a deep sense of God's faithfulness and celebration that he would not be at risk for #heartfailure. Everything about the pregnancy flowed perfectly, and family and friends awaited the arrival of Lily’s baby brother, David “Luke” Hernandez.

However, on Thursday, August 25th, David and Rosie’s lives were forever changed again as their worst fear became real when baby Luke exhibited trouble breathing immediately after birth. After 30 minutes of chest compressions, baby Luke gained his angel wings and left this world to be with Jesus in heaven. At the moment, it has not been determined that Luke is also a carrier of the gene that his big sister Lily carries, but it is very likely that he died from heart failure.

David and Rosie have not asked for anything but time and prayer to heal and grieve the trauma they have endured in the past year. As family, friends, and community, we have stood with them in prayer and done our best to help them navigate the road to move forward despite their tremendous loss.

If you find it in your heart to help in other ways besides prayer, this go-fund-me page and the funds it raises will be used to support the family with funeral arrangements and medical expenses. Additional funds raised will be donated in Luke's honor to the heart warrior charity/foundation of the family's choice.

The name “Luke” means “Light-Giving,” Although his life was cut short, his legacy will continue to live through his story and the story of his big sister Lily.

Fly high, baby boy. We love you.