My name is Tricia...I am a family friend of Max DeRaad and Emily Lundberg. Their precious new baby, Thea Mae,  was born a healthy newborn on April 3, 2021, in Vermillion, SD. Thea went home with her parents and big sister, Aryah, three days later.  Max and Emily soon felt something wasn’t quite right after being home a couple of days.  Baby Thea was brought to the Vermillion ER on her one week birthday. After arriving at the hospital, Thea began having seizures and it was difficult for the medical staff to get control of.  She was then air lifted to Sioux Falls, SD, where she was intubated and brought in for a spinal tap. She was admitted to the intensive care unit and several tests were performed. The tests revealed that Thea had acquired human parechovirus which also caused meningitis.  Thea was very sick and Max and Emily have stayed in the hospital ever since. Thea remains hospitalized and we are unsure of when she will be discharged, but is making forward steps every day.  She is a fighter and has proven to all of us how strong she is. Max and Emily have a long road ahead of them, and work has been missed. Any contributions would greatly help this family.  Above all, please continue to keep Thea, Max, Emily, and Aryah in your prayers.  ❤️