Help Birdie Soar to Surgery and Beyond

My dear friend Erika Mendence and her family need your help! Her daughter, Birdie Mendence, was born in February of 2019 with an abdominal wall difference called an omphalocele, meaning some of her organs developed outside of her abdomen in a sac In utero. Due to this difference and its effect on her anatomy, Birdie received a trach at 2 months old and had heart surgery at 4 months. After 6 1/2 months in the NICU, Birdie finally moved home with her parents!

Fortunately, since coming home, Birdie has continued to grow healthier and stronger! Unfortunately, due to elevated liver enzymes and biliary issues this past year, Birdie will undergo a hepaticojejunostomy (a bile duct-related surgery) on June 9th. The surgeon will also perforce a closure of her omphalocele. The surgery will be several hours from home in Omaha and due to the severity of the procedure and recovery, Erika, Bill, and Birdie will be in Nebraska for at least two weeks. Several family and friends have asked what they can do to help, so we’ve created this GoFundMe to assist as Bill and Erika financially navigate this difficult time away from home (food, gas, bills, etc).

The last two years have been both miraculous and stressful for the Mendences. Anything you can give would be appreciated! If possible, reaching our goal before her surgery on June 9th would be a dream.