Australia told us there were no more surgical options for our two year old girl.

Then Chicago gave us something we thought we'd lost:

HOPE.

Makaia was born with Alagille syndrome and a complex congenital heart condition. She has already endured major open heart surgery, countless hospital admissions and more procedures than most adults will ever experience.

Her biggest battle now is her severely underdeveloped pulmonary arteries, which carry blood from her heart to her lungs. Her branch pulmonary arteries are only around 3mm and have not grown as doctors had hoped.

We were told there were no further surgical options available to Makaia in Australia.

But we couldn't let that be the end of her story.

We searched internationally and eventually reached Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, where a specialist team reviewed Makaia's medical history and imaging.

They believe there may be a surgical pathway for her.

Our fundraising goal covers TWO phases of medical care:

PHASE 1 — MEDICAL ASSESSMENT

The extensive testing, imaging and cardiac investigations required by the Chicago team.

PHASE 2 — SURGERY

The funds will contribute towards the pulmonary artery reconstruction surgery itself.

This fundraiser is specifically for Makaia's medical costs.

It is not raising money for accommodation, holidays or general living expenses. Every dollar raised is intended to go towards giving Kaia access to the medical assessment and, if possible, the surgery she cannot access here in Australia.

Because Makaia is so much more than her medical history.

She's funny.

She's loving.

She's cheeky.

She's stubborn.

She's a little firecracker.

She's a two year old girl who deserves the chance to grow up.

We aren't asking you to promise that this will work.

We're asking you to help us find out.

If you can donate, share her story, follow her journey or simply help us get her name out there, you are helping give Makaia something incredibly precious:

A chance.

We found the door. Now we just need to get our girl through it.