Help with Baby Maggie's hospital and funeral costs

My name is Jonelle. My husband Steve and I are reaching out on behalf of our daughter, Vanessa; her husband, Ben; and their soon-to-be-born daughter, Maggie. We are asking friends and family to please donate to help cover costs associated with the birth of their daughter with a severe and life-threatening birth defect.

Vanessa and Ben got married in October of 2022 with the intention to start a family right away. They were thrilled to conceive and started off with a dream pregnancy up until the 20-week ultrasound. At that point, they were given the devastating news that their daughter has a rare birth defect called a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This condition requires a major surgery after delivery, followed by an extended NICU stay, and survival is by no means guaranteed. The nearest medical center that can provide the support Maggie needs is in Salt Lake City, 5 hours away from Vanessa and Ben’s home in Boise, Idaho. Between Vanessa’s hospital stay and Maggie’s time in the NICU, this means the family will be forced to live away from home for 8 months. A common complication of CDH is premature labor, and Vanessa’s water broke on August 23rd, 12 weeks early. She was airlifted from Boise to Salt Lake City, where she went into labor a few days later. Fortunately, they were able to stop contractions, and Maggie’s debut has been postponed. Vanessa will remain admitted at the University of Utah Hospital until she delivers, and we are hoping and praying that day does not arrive for weeks to come.

These obstacles are not only emotionally overwhelming, but financially as well. Our family is coming together doing all we can, but we could use some help. Our sweet Maggie Mae is a fighter, but we need to build an army of support behind her.

If it’s in your heart to help, please join our prayer team and donate what you can.

All donated funds will go directly towards excessive medical bills, relocation costs, managing their household from afar, lost wages due to extended absence from work, and any unforeseen funds needed to bring Maggie into this world safely.

To learn more about this tragic complication and read stories of hope and strength, visit tinyhero.org.