Hello to everyone who may read this. My name is Kelli Maryanski and before you read this story, I would like you to realize that I thought long and hard before deciding to attempt this fundraising campaign and gained permission from the family prior to doing so as this is very personal.

My best friend of over twenty years and her husband (Daniele and Charles Alter) have been trying very hard to conceive a second child - their rainbow baby - for almost two years. Their beautiful daughter Bela is close to her third birthday and these two would love nothing more than to give her a sibling to share her childhood and life, so that as time goes on, she would not be alone in the world one day. Their journey has been a long and emotional roller coaster, involving several types of tests, vitamins, supplements, fertility treatments, miscarriages, and procedures. The amount of money that has been spent to try to achieve this is nothing compared to the emotional, psychological, and physical distress they have gone through as each attempt has failed. They were honestly about to just give up on their dreams, but there was one last option to try. After a lot of prayer, thought, and discussion, they decided to give this one last option a chance.

I know money is extremely tight for them with all that they have tried thus-far, and I know that they truly cannot afford this on their own. They were fortunate enough to have received a small scholarship from funds left-over from a previous family who were successful in this treatment to help reduce some of the cost. And after speaking with them about what I was going to do, I asked what they would do with anything left over if this campaign reached its goal.

Their answer was simple - to help the next family the same way that they were helped; that to want a child and not be able to have one is heart-wrenching, and if those who are successful in this dream of a family continued to pay it forward, it would alleviate some of the worry and stress that accrues with at least the financial burden that comes from trying everything possible.

Therefore, I am writing this in the hopes that others may also want to help, in any way they can to help them reach their goal. Every small amount is more significant than you know. And for those who want to help more than just financially, sharing this story with others is also helpful.

I realize that there are many other couples who have been or still are in Daniele and Charles' shoes. Those who understand what they are going through. That their story may not mean much to some who read this. But to me, they are more than just my friends - they are my family. They give of themselves consistently and daily, as both work in the mental health field. To sit back and do nothing when I have seen all that they have gone through and knowing they are trying everything...I couldn't. I also had to try everything. This is something I can do for them. Share their story, pray for compassion, and ask for help in alleviating some of their burden. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!