Love For Lila

On April 16 of this year, Laken and Harry Sawhill welcomed their second daughter, Lila, into the world, their hearts filled with both excitement and apprehension as they anticipated the trials that lay ahead. The joy of adding another girl to their family and seeing Lucy become a big sister was a blessing. However, during a routine appointment, their joy was overshadowed by the heartbreaking news that their baby would be born with DiGeorge syndrome and require intensive medical care.

As the months passed, Laken and Harry faced some of the hardest decisions of their lives. Lila’s heart condition was worse than initially anticipated, yet they knew this little girl was destined to be a fighter. DiGeorge syndrome can lead to many different complications. For Lila, DiGeorge syndrome has manifested as a rare and severe heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with Pulmonary Atresia. This condition necessitates a highly complex surgery that can only be performed by a few specialized doctors worldwide.

Initially, it was hoped that heart surgery could be postponed for a few months to allow Lila to grow stronger. While she has indeed been growing and gaining strength, this growth has put additional strain on her heart, which struggles to keep up with the increasing demands.

Throughout these challenging times, UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh has been their saving grace, providing Lila with exceptional care. The hospital connected Laken and Harry with Dr. Frank Hanley at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health in California, where a specific open-heart surgery could implant a pulmonary artery for Lila, offering hope for a significantly improved condition.

However, this life-saving procedure requires Laken and Harry to travel across the country to California, adding immense emotional and financial strain to their already challenging situation. They will need to take time away from their careers to travel to California several times over the next few months, staying for weeks at a time for Lila’s surgery and recovery. This journey will be emotionally and financially draining, adding to the heartache of seeing their precious daughter endure such a challenging ordeal.

We are reaching out to family, friends, and the community for help to ease the immense burden on the Sawhill family during this heartbreaking time. Your generous monetary donations, no matter the amount, will make a significant difference. More importantly, we ask for your heartfelt thoughts and prayers for Lila. Your support and love mean everything to us as we navigate this incredibly difficult journey. Please stay tuned for local fundraising events in the near future.

Thank you for standing with us in our time of need. #LoveForLila