My name is Merilina, I am the proud auntie of sweet baby Zariyah.

Our family is asking for prayers and support for our precious baby girl, Zariyah.

Shortly after birth, Zariyah was emergency flown to Texas Children’s Hospital, where doctors discovered she has a very complex congenital heart condition. Her heart muscle is much thicker than normal, she has a large opening between her blood vessels, a leaky valve, and also persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn - a serious condition that makes it even harder for her heart and lungs to deliver oxygen to her body.

All these challenges make it hard for her little heart to work properly.

Because of the strain on her body, Zariyah is currently sedated and will remain in the NICU for the foreseeable future as her doctors work to keep her stable and decide on the best treatment plan.

Her parents, Alma and Larry, had to leave home immediately and are now staying two hours away to be close to Zariyah in the NICU. Her parents, Alma and Larry are by her side in the NICU. Sadly, this also means they are separated from her big brother, Dominic who is back home two hours away and misses having his mom, dad, and baby sister with him. The distance and uncertainty make this already overwhelming situation even harder for their family.

We are asking for help so Alma and Larry can focus on being by Zariyah’s side without worrying about how they’ll manage the costs of hospital stays, travel, meals, and lost income from time away from work.

Every donation - big or small - will go directly toward supporting this family through the hardest time of their lives. If you cannot give, please keep Zariyah in your prayers and share her story. Your love and support mean more than words can say.

Moje ime je Merilina i ponosna sam tetka naše drage bebice Zariyah.

Ubrzo nakon rođenja, Zariyah je morala hitno biti prebačena helikopterom u Texas Children’s bolnicu. Doktori su otkrili da ima veoma složenu urođenu srčanu manu. Njeno srce je mnogo zadebljano, ima veliki otvor između krvnih sudova, zalistak koji ne zatvara kako treba, a također i perzistentnu plućnu hipertenziju novorođenčeta - ozbiljno stanje koje dodatno otežava srcu i plućima da prenose kiseonik kroz njeno tijelo.

Zbog velikog opterećenja na njen organizam, Zariyah je trenutno u sedaciji i ostat će na intenzivnoj njezi dok doktori rade sve što mogu da je održe stabilnom i pronađu najbolji plan liječenja.

Njeni roditelji, Alma i Larry, morali su odmah napustiti svoj dom kako bi bili uz nju. Sada su udaljeni dva sata od kuće, blizu bolnice, dok njihov četverogodišnji sin Dominic ostaje kod kuće i nedostaju mu mama, babi i sestrica. Ova udaljenost, troškovi putovanja i nesigurnost donijeli su ogromno emocionalno i finansijsko opterećenje.

Zbog toga vas molimo za pomoć kako bi Alma i Larry mogli biti u potpunosti uz Zariyah, bez dodatnog stresa oko troškova putovanja, hrane, smještaja i izgubljenih prihoda zbog odsustva s posla.

Svaka donacija - mala ili velika - ići će direktno na podršku ovoj porodici u najtežem periodu njihovog života. Ako niste u mogućnosti pomoći novčano, molimo vas da Zariyah uvrstite u svoje molitve i podijelite njenu priču.

Vaša ljubav, podrška i molitve znače više nego što riječi mogu opisati.