In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 30, 2025, Nicole and Pat’s world changed forever. A sudden cord prolapse led to an emergency C-section as doctors worked desperately to save their daughter, Izzy, who had lost her heartbeat. When Izzy was born, she required 13 minutes of CPR before her heart was finally brought back. During the time between the cord prolapse and her birth, Izzy was without oxygen, resulting in a diagnosis of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a serious brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation.

Izzy’s first MRI, done shortly after birth, brought devastating news and overwhelming uncertainty. A second MRI later showed that while brain damage is present, it is thankfully not as severe as originally feared—offering a glimmer of hope in the middle of unimaginable fear. Izzy has remained in the NICU at UVA Charlottesville, where she continues to receive specialized, around-the-clock care, and she will be there as her medical journey unfolds.

From the moment she entered this world, Izzy has been defying the odds. Doctors did not expect her to survive—but she did. They did not believe she would be able to breathe on her own—but she can. While she still needs assistance with nutrition and will soon have a G-tube placed, Nicole and Pat hold onto hope that this will not be permanent and that Izzy will continue to surprise everyone with her strength.

As Izzy fights each day, Nicole and Pat, are traveling back and forth to Charlottesville whenever possible to be by her side. The emotional toll is immense, and the financial burden continues to grow. Izzy will need extensive medical care, therapies, and support—many of which may not be fully covered by insurance. Their home will also need modifications and specialized equipment to create a safe, nurturing environment where Izzy can grow and thrive.

This GoFundMe has been created to help ease the financial strain during this incredibly painful and uncertain time, allowing Nicole and Pat to focus on what matters most: loving their daughter, advocating for her care, and celebrating every hard-fought milestone. Izzy has already shown the world how strong she is, and with continued support, her family believes she will keep proving that miracles do happen.