Help Baby Lillith Rose Fight and Thrive

Hi, my name is Andrea Vaughn, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my daughter Jayden (Keenan) and her husband Calob Von Bank, who have just become first-time parents under the most challenging circumstances imaginable. Their baby girl arrived unexpectedly at just 26 weeks into the pregnancy, weighing only 1 pound 13 ounces. As new parents facing this overwhelming situation, they need our community’s support to help with transportation, daily expenses, and basic necessities while their tiny fighter recovers in the NICU. I’m asking for your help because no family should have to choose between being present for their premature baby and paying for gas to get to the hospital.

# Help Baby Lillith Rose

Fight and Thrive

## Our Little Warrior Needs Your Support

My precious granddaughter arrived unexpectedly at just 26 weeks into pregnancy, weighing only 1 pound 13 ounces and measuring 13 inches long. This tiny fighter is currently in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Sioux City, IA, beginning what we know will be a long but hopeful journey toward health and recovery.

## How Everything Changed in an Instant

This premature birth came completely without warning. One day Jayden was planning for her baby’s arrival in a few more months, and suddenly she found herself in the hospital delivering at just 5 months along. She hadn’t even had her baby shower yet - that was still several weeks away in her plans. There was no time to prepare financially, no chance to save extra money, arrange extended leave from work, or put plans in place for this kind of emergency. She didn’t even have all the basic baby supplies yet because it was simply too early.

This is Jayden’s first baby, making this overwhelming situation even more challenging as she navigates being a new mom under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

## The Challenge We’re Facing

My daughter Jayden is facing this incredibly difficult time while unable to work due to the recent birth. Our family is struggling to cover the essential costs that come with having a premature baby in the hospital. The suddenness of this situation left no opportunity to build up savings or make financial preparations:

- **Daily transportation** to and from the NICU (gas, parking fees)

- **Basic necessities** during extended hospital stays

- **Household expenses** that continue while income is limited

-**Nursing Items

## How Your Support Will Help

Every dollar donated will go directly toward:

- Gas and transportation costs for daily NICU visits

- Meals and basic necessities for our daughter during this challenging time

- Essential household expenses while the family cannot work

- Emergency funds for unexpected costs during baby’s recovery

## Our Baby Girl is a Fighter

Despite her early arrival, my granddaughter is showing incredible strength. The medical team is providing excellent care, and we have hope for her recovery. However, we know the road ahead will be long, requiring daily presence at the hospital and unwavering support.

## The Reality of NICU Life

Premature babies often require months of intensive care. During this time:

- Parents need to be present for feeding times, bonding, and medical decisions

- The emotional toll requires a strong support system

- Simple tasks like grocery shopping become challenging when spending 12+ hours daily at the hospital

- Parking fees alone can cost $10-20 per day at many hospitals

- The stress of medical bills and lost income compounds an already difficult situation

## What This Means for Our Family

Jayden was recently discharged from the hospital and is recovering from the delivery. Jayden will now face a 25-mile drive each way to visit her daughter in the NICU - that’s 50 miles round trip, every single day. Because this happened so unexpectedly, Jayden couldn’t prepare for extended time away from work. She had planned to work a few more months before taking maternity leave, but now she needs to pump breast milk every couple of hours and be available for her daughter’s care team. This makes returning to work impossible right now. Meanwhile, basic expenses continue - rent, utilities, groceries, and gas for those daily 50-mile trips. The financial pressure shouldn’t be something our family has to worry about while focusing on our baby’s health, especially when this emergency situation gave us no time to prepare.

## Premature Birth Statistics

Babies born at 5 months face significant challenges, but with modern medical care, many go on to live healthy, full lives. Your support helps ensure our family can be present for every step of this journey, giving our little fighter the best possible chance at thriving.

## We’re Grateful for Any Support

No donation is too small - every contribution helps ease the financial burden so our family can focus on what matters most: being there for our tiny warrior as she grows stronger each day.

**Even $5 helps:**

- $5 covers parking for one hospital visit

- $15 provides a day’s worth of meals while at the hospital

- $25 covers gas for several round trips to the NICU

- $50 helps with a week of basic groceries

- $100+ provides significant relief for monthly expenses

## Why We’re Asking for Help

We believe in the power of community and have always tried to help others when possible. This situation is beyond what our family can handle alone, and we’re humbling ourselves to ask for support during this critical time. Every dollar donated stays local and goes directly to helping our family stay close to our baby during her recovery.

## Our Promise to You

We will use every donation responsibly and provide regular updates on both my granddaughter’s progress and how your contributions are helping. We’re committed to transparency and gratitude throughout this journey.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can provide. Your kindness means more to our family than words can express.

**Updates will be posted regularly to keep supporters informed of baby’s progress.**

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*Please share this campaign with friends and family who might be able to help. Even sharing our story helps spread awareness and support.*

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*Any donations that are left over once Lillith is released to go home will be donated to the Ronald McDonald Home. 

**Jayden is also registered at Amazon 

She has yet to have a baby shower due to Lilly’s premature birth. Link is below..

https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/jayden-vonbank-august-2025-sloan/3USPXLRTLX8Q7?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_8H0PNGKZWH7RKZHRE3Y3&language=en-US