This GoFundMe was created to support my friend, Casey, and her beautiful baby daughter, Riley Grace, who was born with spina bifida — a congenital condition in which the spine and spinal cord do not fully form during pregnancy, leading to a wide range of possible physical and developmental challenges.

Because of her diagnosis, Riley faces significant medical challenges from the very beginning of her life. She spent time in the NICU after birth and now requires frequent specialty appointments, ongoing monitoring, and continued medical care. At this time, the full extent of her condition — including how it may affect her mobility and long-term health — remains unknown, making this journey especially uncertain.

Riley is scheduled to undergo major spinal surgery on April 1, 2026, during which surgeons will operate directly on her spine to carefully correct and untangle affected spinal nerves. The goal of this complex procedure is to protect her future mobility, bowel and bladder function, and to prevent spinal fluid from building up and affecting her brain or head development.

Casey is doing everything possible to care for her daughter during this critical time. She is currently using maternity leave, which does not provide her full income, making it difficult to manage both everyday living expenses and the growing medical costs that are not fully covered by insurance. Casey hopes to remain home throughout Riley’s surgery and recovery so she can focus entirely on her care and healing.

This fundraiser is meant to give Casey and Riley the strongest possible start by helping cover essential needs such as medical bills, rent, and baby care items. Your support will allow Casey to focus on what matters most during this time: being present and caring for her daughter.

Funds raised through this GoFundMe will help ease the financial burden and will be used to assist Casey with:

-Rent and basic living expenses

-Baby necessities such as diapers and formula

-Medical expenses including specialty appointments, surgery, NICU care, and other costs not fully covered by insurance

Every donation, no matter the size, helps ease the weight of this journey. If you’re unable to give, sharing this fundraiser or keeping Casey and Riley Grace in your thoughts and prayers is deeply appreciated.

Let’s come together to support this mother and daughter and remind them they are not alone.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support!