EDIT: We have been so incredibly blessed by a shower of donations and have reached our goal which will cover surgery & hospital fees, travel, accommodations, and food for the ten days we will be in New York. THANK YOU from the depths of our hearts to all who have supported us.

In the lovely month of June, 2024, we experienced the quickest and most beautiful delivery of our daughter, Lucy Therese. One week after birth, she had a small red blemish begin to form on the right side of her forehead. This began to grow rapidly, and we were informed that it is a type of birthmark called a “hemangioma,” or a “strawberry.” It is a cluster of blood vessels and fatty tissue, also known as a benign tumour. Because of its rapid growth and location, we sought care immediately, but the opinions we received from multiple doctors were troubling and even conflicting to each other. Although the hemangioma itself is harmless, Lucy experienced ulceration as it grew, which caused her much pain and discomfort. Bumping it has also become more of a concern as she is now very mobile, a little clumsy, and has a rough 3 year old brother. She has also experienced constant comments during outings, most curious but some very hurtful.

This past January, we heard of a surgeon in New York who specializes in treating and removing vascular birthmarks like hemangiomas, and had a virtual consultation with him in March. He was both compassionate and confident, something we had not experienced with our local doctors, and he encouraged us to come see him. Unfortunately, due to circumstances out of our control, we were unable to travel there for surgery. We thought this door was shut until, on the feast day of Padre Pio, September 23rd, we heard from their office and the door was opened once again.

So, after many, many months of hoping and praying, we have received our miracle for Lucy and have been given the opportunity to travel to New York to have her forehead hemangioma removed by the best vascular surgeon. Her surgery is booked for November 6th, 2025, but will require a ten day stay to make sure she is healing well, and to get her sutures removed. With hospital fees, surgery, travel, and accommodations, it is projected to cost around $35,000 CAD.

If you would like to give us any monetary support to pursue this surgery, we would be so grateful. We will put every donation toward the costs of Lucy’s procedure and recovery.

St. Pio, pray for us.

Venerable Marie of St. Peter, pray for us.