Heart Strong for Olivia

On  Saturday January 13, 2018, Katie and Chris Hartman welcomed a beautiful little girl into the world, Olivia Rose. After developing preeclampsia during labor, Katie’s stay in the hospital was extended and she was on bedrest for two days while on magnesium to prevent seizures.  Katie and Chris were so excited to hear they could take Olivia home on Tuesday, January 16, but hours before their formal release from the hospital, Olivia’s doctor noticed her heart was racing.  Doctors rushed her down to the NICU to perform numerous tests.  Later that day they received the news their daughter has a rare heart condition called Truncus Arteriosus,  a disease where a single blood vessel comes out of the left and right ventricles, instead of the normal two vessels.  In order for Olivia to survive she underwent open heart surgery on January 23, and will most likely need two to three more similar surgeries throughout her life.  Katie and Chris spend everyday at the hospital by Olivia’s side. In hopes to give them one less thing to worry about please help us raise as much money as possible to help with the medical bills and extended care for Olivia.

Although Katie and Chris are insured, it will only cover so much.  Also, Katie’s company does not offer paid maternity leave.  She was planning to take 12 weeks unpaid, but may need to stay with Olivia longer or cut back her hours to care for their daughter. The money raised will go towards covering the cost of Olivia’s NICU stay, surgery, medicine and post-op therapy and appointments.

We are also hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, February 10!  Please feel free to join us, details are below.

Where: The Fifty/50 - 2047 W. Division St, Chicago, IL 
When: Saturday, February 10 from 5:00 - 8:00