Hi everyone!

We are raising money for this amazing little family: Jeffrey, Elizabeth, and baby Raiu.

A bit of background: Raiu was an emergency C-section last Thursday (12/5), which was about a week after his due date. On Friday, the doctors began to run some tests and found that his GI tract wasn't fully developed and was disconnected; this caused a large backup in his intestines. By Saturday afternoon, Raiu was being transferred to CHOC for further examination. They began testing for seizures, and from Saturday night into Sunday morning, Raiu had 3 seizures. Because of the seizures, the surgery for his GI tract had to be moved back. On Monday, he was seizure-free for 24 hours, so CHOC was able to conduct an MRI to examine his brain activity. A few hours later, Raiu was able to have the surgery on his intestines, during which they removed the blockage and were able to successfully repair his GI tract. The neurology team put Raiu on some medication that they hoped would prevent any more seizures, but when the doctors had taken a spinal tap after his intestinal surgery, Raiu had another seizure. Because of this, the neurologist is considering a higher medication to stop the seizures that would be much more of a sedative. The doctors are worried about his cells because Raiu is having a hard time healing. He currently is under a lot of sedation, on a ventilator, and on multiple IVs to continue to help him heal.

Elizabeth and Jeffrey now are faced with the expenses of the emergency C-section procedure, the stay at that hospital, the multiple nights they have and will spend at CHOC, each individual doctor that comes to support the baby, and everyday costs. Doctors are still looking for answers as to why this is all happening and are even beginning to look for outside help. This is a monumental expense placed on the shoulders of this young family. The donation goal number is an estimate from all of the costs, tests and doctors mentioned prior.

Jeffrey and Elizabeth are two of the kindest and most faithful people you'll ever meet. They always go out of their way to help others and spread positivity wherever they go. Their love for each other and their family is truly inspiring, and they have a deep commitment to their community. Through every challenge, they remain strong, compassionate, and unwavering in their faith.

We'd like to encourage you to give anything that you can to just ease a bit of this expense so that Elizabeth and Jeffrey can focus on getting baby Raiu better.