Remembering Silas Durham

We are so excited to welcome our boy Silas Durham into this world! While we have been filled with joy and anticipation, what we had expected to come out of this next year has been flipped on its head - a planned homebirth, surrounded by love and comfort, and our wedding in June, celebrating with friends and family. We didn’t think for a second that either of these events would be so easily turned over, but our focus has shifted entirely to the health and well-being of our child. As we adjust to this new reality, we are learning to navigate the challenges ahead. Please read on to learn more about our journey and how you can help, and thank you for being here.

You may donate to Venmo @durhammmer directly to ensure the Durham family receives your full donation!

Our Story

All was revealed just days after our 20 week anatomy scan - everything about baby Silas seemed normal, his size was on track and he was an active little one, moving around so much that the ultrasound technician had difficulty capturing clear images of his heart. At the time there was no cause for concern, and to the untrained eye everything looked just as it should. Within the next few days we received life-changing news: Silas’s heart hadn’t developed properly. Only one side had fully formed, leading to a diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a rare and serious congenital heart defect. With HLHS, the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped and unable to support normal blood circulation, meaning Silas would not survive after birth without immediate intervention.

We were, and still are, devastated by this news, and as first-time parents it feels quite daunting. However, we are determined to do everything in our power to give our son the best chance at life. We’ve already been incredibly fortunate with the care we’ve received, and the level of attention given to his condition has been remarkable. The support we’ve gotten has been full of hope and valuable information, and Silas is already showing us just how strong and resilient he is. We are confident in the strength of our family to make it through the challenges ahead.

What now?

HLHS is a complex condition, and advances in medical care offer hope. To give Silas a fighting chance, he will need three major reconstructive heart surgeries:

These surgeries are critical with significant risks and are not a foolproof replacement for the heart's true blood circulation. They require specialized care and are only performed at select centers, and the closest hospital equipped to handle Silas’ condition is in Salt Lake City, a 6-hour drive from our home. This means we will need to relocate temporarily for each surgery, and for the duration of the recovery periods that follow - this can range from a week to a over month. Any interventions needed beyond his first few years of life will be addressed as circumstances arise as there is little hindsight into what Silas’ future will look like.

The Financial Weight

As a new family, we never imagined facing such a monumental challenge. The medical bills, travel expenses, and time away from work are overwhelming. Insurance will only cover so much of these costs, and we will be left with a significant financial burden on top of the emotional stress. With little to no paternal leave/pay available to us, we will also be managing our day to day finances. Tackling this on our own seems impossible, and we want nothing more than to be able to provide Silas with stability, emotionally and financially.

How You Can Help

This GoFundMe is set up to help cover the costs of Silas’ treatments, surgeries, medications, and the many expenses that come with his care. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in ensuring Silas gets the support he needs.

Your generosity will allow us to focus on what matters most—being there for our son. We are so grateful for any prayers, donations, and shares of this campaign. Your support means the world to us and will help give Silas the fighting chance he deserves.

Thank you for standing with Austin, Anesia, and Silas Durham!