Lovin' On Olivia
A fundraiser on behalf of David, Alyssa and Olivia Casper, organized by family and friends.
On January 7th, at 5:36PM Olivia Marleau Casper, entered our lives gracing us with her presence.
Born to parents David and Alyssa Casper, precious Olivia weighed 6 lbs 2 oz and 19 inches long - perfect in every way and to the great joy of her parents.
But before her parents could even hold her or hear her take her first breath, she was swiftly taken away. Due to unforeseen complications at birth, Olivia was separated from Alyssa – something a mother should never have to experience - and airlifted from Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California to Childrens Hospital of Orange County where Olivia has remained in critical condition in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit.
Olivia was born with her umbilical cord wrapped tightly 3 times around her neck, a condition seen in 1 and 10,000 babies. She was without oxygen and a heartbeat for an extended period of time.
As Alyssa stayed at Hoag, recovering from her emergency c-section, her baby girl Olivia was miles away, fighting for her life, with her dad, David, by her side every step of the way.
What should be the happiest day of their lives, the birth of Olivia, has turned into every parent’s worst nightmare…
“Will God allow our baby to survive,” the only words Alyssa could mutter in between the tears when talking to David throughout the days of them being apart at separate hospitals.
With David by Olivia’s side, feeling so helpless as he reaches in and holds her tiny fingers, the weight of the world is bearing down on him. He finds great strength to keep going, for baby Olivia, for his wife and the future of their family, all the while knowing his daughter may be in a lifelong struggle to live a life as normally as possible.
His baby girl is here, and she’s here to stay and his and Alyssa’s focus must be on seeing their little girl through these challenges.
The last thing Olivia’s parents should be thinking about is the financial aspect that comes with such a devastating turn of events. They are in the present – focused on Olivia’s health and getting her through this nightmare. But soon reality will come - and with it the enormous costs associated with Olivia’s world-class care.
Brain and heart damage have been confirmed by the medical staff – only time will tell the extent of each. The small victories that Olivia is achieving is amazing, but this battle is far from over.
As the prayer warriors from across the globe pull together to spiritually walk with David, Alyssa and Olivia, we know God’s hands are with them through each and every battle this lovely family is suffering through.
Currently there are two main prayer areas we are seeking, specifically as follows:
Alyssa and David have waited, prayed and longed for a baby to join their family and their wait was rewarded with the arrival of baby Olivia. Everyone in David and Alyssa's lives know they are meant to be parents. Their family deserves a lifetime of happiness and the joy of parenting and watching their girl grow into a women, wife and mother.
Thank you for joining us in prayer, keeping #LovinOnOlivia going and most important, supporting David and Alyssa as best as we can right now.
Updates will be posted here, as they become available with permission from the parents.
From the bottom of David and Alyssa's hearts they want to express their deepest appreciation and thankfulness for all the support.
Here's a quick note for them:
From Alyssa and David,
“Thank you for choosing to follow our journey, for praying over us and our sweet baby girl.
She’s a fighter and we can’t wait to watch her grow up, she’s our miracle baby who is loved by so many.
We know God has a plan, and all we can do is be here and fight for our girl, Olivia.”
We have set up this account to help Alyssa and David with the medical expenses (because Olivia's medical condition(s) are not fully diagnosed, it is likely to be several hundred thousand dollars, but we will keep this page updated as we know more.). Please help us bring this baby Olivia home to David and Alyssa and their fur babies Bruce and Duke. They deserve to be the loving family god has created.