Help Baby Rey on His Journey to Healing

Baby Rey’s story has been one of courage from the very beginning. Born two months premature, Rey spent the first 52 days of his life in the NICU at Crouse Hospital, more than an hour away from home.

My nephew Rey was born with multiple serious conditions, including a Congenital Heart Defect (Ventricular Septal Defect, or VSD) and a life-threatening Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). At just 8 days old, he underwent major surgery to repair his CDH. Shortly after coming home, he faced another challenge—a severe inguinal hernia that also required surgery.

Now, Rey is preparing for his biggest surgery yet. This winter, he will undergo open-heart surgery and arterial repair to address his complicated heart disease. He is expected to spend at least two weeks in the Cardiac ICU, at a hospital more than three hours away from home.

Throughout all of this, Rey’s parents have been doing everything they can to care for him while also raising his two older sisters. On top of the emotional toll, the financial strain has been overwhelming—monthly trips to Syracuse for cardiology appointments (over an hour each way), parking fees (with no validation offered), gas, food, and groceries all add up quickly.

This GoFundMe was created to help ease some of that burden, so his family can focus on what matters most—being there for Rey as he recovers and heals.

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. Whether it helps cover gas for hospital trips, parking, or a warm meal after long days in the ICU, your support means the world.