Help Support Baby Elio’s Journey ❤️ #ElioStrong

As many of you know, Allyson and Ricardo welcomed their beautiful baby boy, Elio, on June 30th. What should have been a joyful celebration quickly became an unexpected and emotional journey filled with strength, faith, and hope.

Elio’s story began even before his birth. At just over 32 weeks pregnant, Allyson was admitted to the hospital due to health concerns. After two weeks of close monitoring, her doctors made the difficult decision to induce labor at 34 weeks, believing it was the safest option for both mom and baby. After more than a day of labor, Allyson required an emergency C-section, and shortly after birth, Elio was rushed to the NICU due to low oxygen levels. Allyson, still recovering and on a magnesium drip, had to wait two long days to hold her son for the first time.

Despite a rocky start, Elio showed signs of progress by working through breathing challenges and learning to feed. But then, a first-year resident noticed a heart murmur, prompting further tests. What followed was a diagnosis no parent ever wants to hear: Critical Aortic Stenosis. Elio’s aortic valve was thickened and fused, severely limiting blood flow from his tiny heart.

He was immediately transferred to the Pediatric Cardiac ICU, where he underwent an emergency Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV), a delicate procedure to open his valve using a catheter and balloon. The procedure was a success, but Elio faced a scare afterward with bleeding at the catheter site, requiring a blood transfusion.

Through it all, Elio has shown incredible strength. He is now back in the NICU, steadily working on breathing without oxygen support and mastering feedings. While he still has a road ahead, he is making progress every day, and his medical team is hopeful.

So many of you have asked how you can help; your prayers, kind messages, gift cards, and meals have already meant the world to Allyson and Ricardo. Your love has truly lifted them up.

To continue supporting their family, we’ve created this GoFundMe. Between extended hospital stays, travel to and from Winnie Palmer Hospital (a 45-minute drive each way), and mounting medical expenses, any financial support would be a tremendous blessing and help ease their burden during this time.

Above all, we ask for your continued prayers for Elio. He is a true fighter, full of courage and strength; already showing us what #ElioStrong really means.

Thank you for standing with this sweet family in love, faith, and hope.