Toxic Mold: A Life-or-Death Emergency

Dear friends, family, and compassionate strangers, I’m reaching out with a heavy heart to share the devastating story of my best friends, Natasha Ward and Louis McGuire, and their three incredible children—Cruz (5), Willow (4), and Blaze (2)—along with their beloved Labradoodle, Mocha. This family is trapped in a nightmare no parent should face, fighting to save their kids from a life-threatening fungal infection caused by toxic mold. They need our urgent help to save their children’s lives and rebuild their future. Please, read their story and join me in giving them hope.

A Home That Became a Death Trap

Natasha and Louis moved to Las Vegas for a fresh start, renting a home they believed was a safe haven for their kids to grow and play. But it hid a deadly secret: toxic black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus fumigatus) lurking in the walls, carpets, and air vents, poisoning the air their family breathed. They had no idea until their children started falling dangerously ill.

It began with rashes on Cruz and Willow, and Blaze, misdiagnosed as eczema, that turned into burning, blistering sores. Fevers, vomiting, and crippling fatigue followed, stealing their joy. Little Blaze, only two, suffered the worst—struggling to breathe and enduring terrifying seizures that left Natasha and Louis helpless as his tiny body shook. Even Mocha, their loyal service dog and the kids’ best friend, began coughing, developing rashes, and losing her energy.

Natasha and Louis raised concerns about mold early, pointing out visible signs and begging for action. Their pleas were dismissed, and they faced resistance when they persisted. Desperate, the family paid for a mold test, revealing a horrifying truth: their home was a toxic trap, with dangerous mold contaminating their furniture, clothes, and air. A judge later declared the house unlivable, but the damage to their children’s health was done.

A Life-Threatening Crisis: Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Cruz, Willow, and Blaze are battling invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a deadly fungal infection caused by prolonged exposure to toxic mold. This is not a mild allergy—it’s a systemic infection attacking their lungs, blood, and nervous systems. Blood tests show dangerously high Aspergillus levels, causing severe rashes, respiratory distress, and neurological complications. Blaze’s seizures are the most heart-wrenching, risking permanent brain damage or worse. Their lungs show early signs of interstitial lung disease, a scarring condition that could lead to chronic respiratory failure. Even Mocha is suffering from mold-related illness.

Medical experts warn that invasive aspergillosis in children has a 30-50% mortality rate if treatment is delayed or interrupted. Without immediate, consistent care, the infection could invade vital organs, causing irreversible damage or death. The stakes could not be higher.

Their Lifeline: Voriconazole

The only hope for Cruz, Willow, and Blaze is Voriconazole, a potent antifungal drug that fights the Aspergillus infection. It’s their best chance at survival, but it’s brutally expensive: $1,688.42 per child every two weeks, totaling over $5,065.26 every 14 days for all three. They need this medication for at least 26 weeks—a staggering $131,696. 76 that insurance won’t cover. The drug is harsh, causing nausea, headaches, and fatigue, but it’s working to save their lives. Missing even one dose risks the infection rebounding, potentially triggering worse seizures, lung collapse, or fatal outcomes. They cannot stop treatment.

A Family Forced to Start Over

When the mold test results came back, Natasha and Louis fled the toxic house, leaving behind everything—furniture, clothes, toys—all contaminated. They drained their savings on hotel stays, air purifiers, and medical tests while fighting in court. When Nevada’s healthcare system failed them, they made the brave choice to return to their hometown, La Crosse, Wisconsin, for doctors who understand mold toxicity. They’ve found a dedicated medical team, but the costs for Voriconazole, lab tests, ER visits, and a safe, mold-free home are crushing. Louis stays home to care for the kids, and Natasha is their full-time caregiver, leaving them with no income to face these overwhelming expenses.

Why We Must Act Now

This is a life-or-death emergency. Cruz, Willow, and Blaze are fighting a poison that could steal their futures—lung damage, neurological issues, or worse—if we don’t act. Natasha and Louis have exhausted every resource, but they can’t do this alone. They’re not the type to ask for help, but for their kids and Mocha, they’re putting pride aside. I’m begging you to join me in supporting them with:

•  Medical Costs: Over $80,000 for Voriconazole, plus ongoing lab tests and specialist visits to monitor recovery.

•  Mocha’s Care: Vet bills to treat their service dog’s mold-related illness.

•  Basic Needs: Replacing contaminated belongings and covering living expenses while they focus on their kids.

Every dollar brings Cruz’s giggles, Willow’s hugs, and Blaze’s brave smiles closer to returning. If you can’t donate, please share this campaign to amplify their story and raise awareness about the dangers of toxic mold. Your shares could help another family avoid this fate.

A Call from the Heart

I’ve watched Natasha and Louis hold their kids through endless ER visits, comfort Blaze during seizures, and fight for answers when no one listened. Their love for Cruz, Willow, Blaze, and Mocha is unbreakable, even as they’re pushed to their breaking point. These kids still have so much spirit—Blaze’s tiny smile, Willow’s warmth, Cruz’s energy trying to shine through. With your help, we can give them the care and safety they need to heal and thrive again.

Please, donate what you can at, share this far and wide, and keep this family in your prayers. This fundraiser is not affiliated with any rental company and reflects the family’s personal experience. Together, we can be the lifeline between survival and tragedy, ensuring no child dies from a poison in their own home.

With gratitude and urgency,

Caitlin Slater-Guggisberg, on behalf of Natasha, Louis, Cruz, Willow, Blaze, and Mocha