I’ve started this GoFundMe in the hopes that we can help make a difference for baby Eleanor “Ella” Jane Smart, born October 7, 2025. Ella has been diagnosed with Critical Aortic Stenosis and Mitral Stenosis. Her tiny heart has worked so hard, but the valves that should allow blood to flow freely are severely narrowed, leaving her left ventricle enlarged and heavily scarred. This condition is life-threatening, and she will face open-heart procedures (3 minimum that we know of), with the possibility of a heart transplant if her body cannot tolerate the surgeries.

Ella has been accepted as a patient at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and while we are deeply grateful for this, the journey ahead will be long, overwhelming, and unknown. Ella will need intensive care, multiple open-heart surgeries, and months in the hospital before she can ever potentially come home.

This diagnosis has completely changed life for the Smart family. It means Drew, Ashtin, and the girls have relocated temporarily to Arkansas, leaving behind work and stability to be at Ella’s side. It means helping their older daughters, Everly (6) and Elyse (2), understand why Mommy and Daddy have to split time between home and hospital. It means the family is preparing for financial hardship on top of the emotional and physical strain of navigating this medical journey.

Despite all of this, we are holding onto faith and hope. We believe her life has great purpose, and that she is already touching so many hearts.

Your support—through prayer, encouragement, or financial help—means the world to the Smarts. Every donation will go toward travel, lodging, medical expenses, and the resources the family needs to stay together and strong during this fight. Thank you for standing with them/us as we prepare to welcome Ella into the world and into this battle with courage and love.

Psalm 118:17

"Ella shall not die, but LIVE, and she WILL declare the works of the Lord".