Hi, I'm Kirsten, the mother of Rowan. She is everything her name stands for; resilience and strength. Rowan's fight began when I was almost 20 weeks pregnant with her and her twin sister, when her sister spontaneously passed. This event caused oxygen loss to Rowan's brain, resulting in an injury also known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The doctors were unsure of Rowan's survival rate as well as her outcome for quality of life. She has proven many odds, but continues to face challenges daily.

In December, Rowan had a feeding tube placed, which she has become completely dependent on and no longer feeds by mouth. Nearly a month later she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Rowan is now 13 months old and is the sweetest, strongest, and most resilient little girl I know. Her first year of life has consisted of over 100 doctors appointments, twice weekly physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapies, a month long hospital stay, various testings, medications, botox injections, laser and light therapies, and a determined spirit. I have had to quit my job to be a full-time caregiver for her. Our apartment often looks like an exercise circuit, and our days are spent working together to challenge her mind and body.

With cerebral palsy not having a cure, I have spent countless hours researching any and everything that would help to give Rowan the best and most "normal" life that she can have. After exhausting all possible options locally and domestically, I have decided to take her to Merida, Mexico for Stem Cell therapy. The clinic offers Dezawa MUSECells, that are a rare cell capable of finding damaged tissue and repairing it. The treatment is 1 week long, and will consist of multiple days of therapy, 2 days of intranasal cell administration, and 1 day of cell administration by IV.

I have accepted that Rowan's "normal" will likely always look different; I believe that stem cell therapy will enhance what her version will be. I am seeking financial support to aid in the opportunity for Rowan to gain some autonomy over her future and be able to interact with the world around her.

Stem Cell Treatment: ~$15,000

Travel, Lodging, Food: ~$5,000

Thank you for being here- I can't wait to update you.