Ten years ago, Guiliana was born with a number of health concerns. She has been diagnosed with the rare (under 200,000 cases) DiGeorge Syndrome. She spent time in the NICU at Women and Infants in Providence, RI before being transferred to Boston Children's Hospital and having her first heart surgery. Over the years Gigi, as she is known, has worked hard to learn to eat, talk, walk, run and so much more. She enjoys dance and karate, camping, fishing and is looking forward to be able to do those things again. She has had other surgeries including a second heart surgery at Boston Children's Hospital, but that has never stopped her!

In June of 2020, during the Covid crisis, she began to have trouble holding her head up, and was found to have a curvature in her cervical spine. This caused her nerves and blood vessels to be have severe constriction, leading to her muscles to not work properly. DiGeorge strikes again. She has been hospitalized in RI for ten days. Her neck was stabilized, and tomorrow she will have spine surgery. 

Her two older sisters miss her greatly, at this time she can have one parent with her. For many reasons this is hugely stressful on everyone. At this time, the financial stress has become an increasing burden. The family is still working on paying copays and hospital bills from prior surgeries, the stress of Gigi's health concerns, the families emotional and financial well-being are taking a toll. 

We are asking for your help. This surgery is going to be costly, as well as months of physical therapy ahead. We are all helping in any way we can, but it just doesn't seem to be enough.