This is Eden’s Story

Gregg and Amanda Pennington have been hoping to start a family for over six years. After experiencing a miscarriage in the fall of 2024, they were overjoyed to learn they were expecting again this year. At the 20-week ultrasound, however, doctors discovered that their daughter, Eden, has a serious heart condition. She is missing her left ventricle, has only one atrioventricular valve, and a double outlet right ventricle—meaning her heart pumps blood to both her lungs and the body at the same time, preventing her from being properly oxygenated. To ensure Eden receives the best possible care, Gregg and Amanda temporarily relocated to Cincinnati in September 2025.

On October 9, Eden Skye Pennington was born. She is thriving beyond expectations, and many prayers have been answered. She has no feeding tube, no oxygen, and no major interventions. After a short NICU stay and step-down unit time, she is now staying with Gregg and Amanda at the Ronald McDonald House.

Eden is mostly doing well, but this remains a critical time. She will need two open-heart surgeries, one around 4–5 months old and another around 4–5 years old. These will help blood flow but will not fully fix the problem, and she may eventually need a heart

transplant.

How people can help



Several people have asked about starting a GoFundMe, and Gregg and Amanda have held off because they feel that it should be a last resort and they are not naturally comfortable asking for help. Some friends have donated privately, which has been a blessing. If people want to help monetarily, private donations or contributions to this GoFundMe are welcome.

Gregg is the main source of income for the family. He had to take a week of PTO and two weeks of Family Leave to be with Eden, and he will need to take unpaid leave for her first surgery in a few months. Their out-of-pocket medical expenses are already high, and they never know what will be considered covered, so every bit of help makes a difference.

Free meals at the Ronald McDonald House cover immediate room and board needs, but beyond worrying about Eden, financial stress is always present. The love and support from everyone have been incredible, and prayers remind the family that they are not alone and give them strength.