Lauren Firestine and family

Hello, my name is Maria Synan and I’m fundraising to support Lauren, Garrett, and Owen Firestine. Owen was born prematurely at 24 weeks via emergency c-section and is currently at the start of a very long journey in the NICU.

Lauren also lost her father to a long battle with cancer back in August. She and her family are truly selfless people that will always show up for you and now is the time to show up for them. I have known Lauren since we were sat next to each other in the fifth grade 15 years ago and have been so thankful to have her in my life ever since. Any donation, any share to your social media, or even just holding her family in your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Donations will be directly given to Lauren, Garrett, and Owen to help offset the costs of medical bills, travel expenses, loss of wages during this time. They are also on the GiftPocket App if you would prefer to support them through that. The app can be downloaded through this link. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/giftpocket-gift-card-wallet/id1273166137

Finally I will share from Lauren, Owen’s first few days (she has since returned from the hospital to recover but is visiting Owen every day)

“Owen Henry Firestine. 10-9-2023 6:49am. 1lbs 6.5oz, 24 weeks 2 days. 13 inches.

Garret took me to the hospital at 3am for some mild cramping which I felt was abnormal. Upon arrival to Magee and exam, it was determined that I was in pre-term labor and Owen was coming within 24-48 hours.

Long story short and sparing details- Within 1 hour of arrival, I started hemorrhaging and was taken in for emergency surgery immediately; undergoing general anesthesia. Owen was C-Sectioned out at 6:49 am.

Owen and I are both admitted to the ICU and NICU. I lost a huge amount of blood and have been receiving blood transfusions. I was able to see Owen twice and he loves to squeeze his mamas finger and kick his dads finger away.

Owen is in the NICU intubated and also receiving blood transfusions. He is critical and touch and go day by day.

He is on IV antibiotics, intubated for oxygen and food, and a blue light for all of his severe bruising on his skin.

Today he has a collapsed lung lobe and his blood stats continue to drop. He will be getting a chest X-ray and also an ultrasound of his brain to determine if there is a bleed.

Owen will remain in the NICU until his original due date of Jan 27th. As anyone with NICU experience can attest, things change by the minute with their status, especially at Owens premature age and size.

I will remain admitted until my values are stable as well-but doctors are hopeful.

This is not what we planned at all and there are more doctors involved than I've ever met in my life. For now, we just wait and go day by day.”

Thank you for taking the time to read about Lauren, Garrett, and Owen. To further follow their journey, Lauren is posting updates on the Team O Facebook page. https://facebook.com/groups/253768647222024/