Savannah Jade Fundraiser

On June 13th, 2017 my sister Amy gave birth to my beautiful niece Savannah Jade Villani at South Nassau Communities Hospital. Our family was so happy to welcome this amazing baby girl into the world. This is where Savannahs story begins. Shortly after the delivery the nurses told my sister and brother in law that they had found a small lump on the back of Savannah’s neck. The doctors were unsure exactly what the mass was but informed my sister there was a very small chance it was anything to worry about. At only 3 days old Savannah went in for a ultrasound at Winthrop, leaving doctors still uncertain of what the lump was. This was followed up by visit to Cohens Childrens Medical Center to meet with a surgeon, who to was uncertain and recommended another ultrasound and an MRI scan, to no avail. None of the doctors had seen anything like this before. A biopsy was ordered and surgery was scheduled. The whole mass was removed from Savannah’s neck and sent to pathologists for testing. After two longs weeks of waiting, on August 23rd, 2017 Amy and her husband Andrew were informed that Savannah had Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that develops from connective tissue such as muscle, fat, bones, blood vessels and the linings of joints.

Only one week after the diagnosis Savannah went in for another surgery, only this time to put in a port to begin chemotherapy treatment. At just two months old my beautiful niece began chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a terrible experience for anyone to go through but for a little baby, the demands put on the parents is incredible. My sister and her husband must now mount the courage to fight with and for their baby girl but also must continue to push on with the responsibilities to support their family with Savannah and her older sister Scarlett. While Andrew continues to work to support the family, Amy needed to take a leave of absence from work to care for Savannah.

Twice a week Amy and Savannah make the trip to Cohens Childrens Medical Center in Queens for blood work and chemotherapy, which will continue for the next 9 months. There are also other appointments and long chemotherapy session every few weeks that requires Savannah to stay overnight in the hospital for an 18 hour rehydration session to prevent the medicine from causing serious damage to her kidneys. Savannah is such a strong baby girl and we know she will be a fighter. So far she is doing well and although she is beginning to lose her hair and develop mouth sores, she continues to fight. Her journey has just begun

My name is Stephanie and myself, my brothers Jeff and Ryan and my sister Ruthie have come together to ask for your help. Amy and Andrew are now living with a single income while Amy continues to care for Savannah during this difficult time and combined with the mounting medical bills that come with a diagnosis like Savannah’s. This has put an additional burden on a family already tasked with a difficult fight. Whatever it is you can do to help; from prayers and positive thoughts to just a few dollars will help Savannah, Amy, Andrew and Scarlett immensely through this trying time. Even if you cannot give, please share this go fund me with others. Thank you for taking your time to read this and know that whatever little or large amount you do to help is unbelievably appreciated by my family.