On Saturday, September 27, our family welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world — my sweet niece, Anna.

Shortly after birth, our little angel was diagnosed with a rare and serious congenital heart defect called Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR). It’s a condition that affects the way blood flows through the heart and lungs, and without immediate intervention, it can be life-threatening.

What is TAPVR?

TAPVR stands for Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return. In a healthy heart, oxygen-rich blood from the lungs returns to the left side of the heart and is pumped out to the rest of the body. In babies born with TAPVR, the pulmonary veins — which are supposed to bring oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium — connect abnormally to the wrong part of the heart.

This means oxygenated blood can’t circulate properly, making it incredibly difficult for the baby’s body and brain to get the oxygen they need. It requires open-heart surgery very early in life to correct the defect — sometimes within days of birth, in our case.

At just 2 days old, baby Anna underwent open-heart surgery to repair her tiny heart. The surgery was a success, thanks to the incredible pediatric cardiology team — but her journey is far from over.

She is currently in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where she continues to recover, surrounded by wires, monitors, and the love and strength of her parents, who haven’t left her side. There are still risks and uncertainties ahead, and her recovery will take time, patience, and constant care.

How you can help❤️

This GoFundMe was created to help ease the financial burden on baby Anna’s parents during this unimaginably difficult time. With both of them unable to work as they focus entirely on her recovery, every dollar raised will go directly toward:

• Mounting medical bills and hospital stays

• Post-surgery medications and follow-up care

No family plans for a medical emergency like this, and your support — whether financial or through sharing this page — means more than words can express.

Thank You from the Bottom of Our Hearts

We are so grateful for the amazing outpouring of love and support already received from friends, family, and even kind strangers. Baby Anna is already showing us she’s a fighter, and with your help, she’ll get the best possible chance at a healthy life.

Please consider donating or sharing this fundraiser. ❤️

With love and gratitude,

Myriam & Family