Help Amanda and David have a Family with IVF

This is Amanda and David's story told by her classmates in Nursing school…… we love you Amanda <3

Amanda and David fell in love at a very young age. David was raised in the Okanagan while Amanda settled here when she was 12 years old with her family.

This year marks their 5th wedding anniversary although they’ve been together for the past 14 years!

Amanda and David were surprised when they discovered they were pregnant and with a very supportive family and they became very excited to be first time parents. Their beautiful daughter Hailie was born on Feb 22, 2011 but their excitement soon turned to worry as it was apparent she was not breathing well. After a week at the Penticton Hospital maternity ward, Hailie was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver where she would spend the next 8 months. She was in need of a ventilator and had multiple procedures done including a tracheostomy and a gastric feeding tube while they hoped for a diagnosis. At 8 months of age they were allowed to take Hailie home but she was in need of around the clock care, which meant Amanda, David and their families had to learn how to use all of the medical equipment needed to keep their baby alive. Sadly, despite their efforts, Hailie passed away at 17 months of age. They all were completely devastated. Unfortunately this was not the end of their misfortunes.

A few years later in 2015, they were delighted to find out they were expecting again. After a completely normal pregnancy, they were thrilled to welcome baby girl Andrea. It wasn’t long that Andrea too became ill and had to be taken to BC Children’s Hospital. This couldn’t be happening to them again!

This time after testing they discovered a genetic disorder, a recessive gene, causing a rare mitochondrial disease in both of the girls. When Andrea was diagnosed, there were only 7 other confirmed cases including Hailie and they had only discovered this rare genetic disorder 2 months before Andrea was born. Sadly, Andrea too did not survive this disease. Again, David and Amanda and their families mourned the loss of another child. It was completely devastating for them all.

Unfortunately both David and Amanda carry the recessive gene that they passed on to their children. Doctors say there is only a 1 in 4 chance of having a healthy baby if preventative measures are not taken. IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) can genetically test and select a healthy embryo to implant for pregnancy, which gives them a 75% chance of having a healthy baby. David and Amanda dream of having a family of their own but couldn’t risk the same thing happening to another one of their children.

We have started fundraising for this beautiful, strong, amazing couple in hopes of helping them fulfill their dream of becoming parents again after enduring such heartbreak and tragedy.

Any donation will help the couple with this costly procedure

This is Amanda's email in case anyone wishes to reach out: [email redacted].  This is also another way to send a donation if someone is uncomfortable with using the gofundme platform.