This is baby Rapha. She was born by emergency C-section with a rare heart problem called heterotaxy, where her heart is underdeveloped on the right side and her arteries are not connected properly. Doctors here thought they had a good plan, but when she was born, she suffered complications with her lungs called PCD. She has since been transported to Denver Medical Center where the right experts are trying to save her life.

Her mom, Mano, can't yet travel due to the C-section, so her dad, John, had to go with her alone. Mano also couldn't continue her employment because she was on an internship while she finishes her PhD, and there's no maternity leave for interns. We're raising money for them to offset the cost of lodging in Denver, transportation back and forth for them and their family, medical expenses not covered by insurance, and to offset Mano's lost wages while they care for Rapha in Denver.

I speak from experience when I say that it is critical for parents to be part of their child's care to advocate for them. This scenario is financially devastating even without the lost wages; it's expensive to care for a sick loved one, especially out of state, and even more so when you have other kids at home. We appreciate any help you can offer!