Let’s help the LaRush family through this difficult time

Dear Friends and Family,

I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart to share the story of my dear friend Summer and her incredible daughter, October and her fiancé . Over the past few months, they have faced unimaginable challenges that no family should have to endure.

October was born with a series of complex medical conditions that have led to an extended hospital stay. She spent 41 days in the NICU, where her journey began with uncertainty and fear. After a week at Children’s Hospital, we were hopeful that her health issues could be managed, as we were told that all she needed was some guidance on feeding, and we would be back home in just a couple of days. To our dismay, once we reached Nanaimo, we learned that her condition was far more severe than initially understood.

October has been diagnosed with numerous critical health issues, including brain calcifications, retinal hemorrhaging, and ventricular cysts stemming from previous brain bleeds. She faces congenital heart challenges: ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), and patent foramen ovale (PFO) – a total of three holes in her heart. Additionally, her low muscle tone makes feeding difficult and places extra strain on her system. She has fluid in her lungs and is currently in the 0 percentile for growth, meaning she may face lifelong health challenges. October relies on oxygen to maintain her blood saturation levels and prevent potential brain damage. Once she is strong enough, she will require open-heart surgery to repair her heart.

As if this wasn’t enough for Summer and October to bear, just as they were beginning to navigate this journey, tragedy struck again. October’s dad, Jay, suffered a heart attack and required emergency surgery in Victoria, where he had two stents placed. He is now unable to work in the logging business until he is fully healed, adding financial stress to an already overwhelming situation.

We are creating this GoFundMe to rally support for Summer, Jay, and October as they face these ongoing medical challenges. Your generous contributions will go directly toward medical expenses, necessary treatments, and the loss of income during this challenging time.

Every bit helps, whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this page with your network. Together, we can provide this beautiful family with the support they need to focus on October’s health and their family’s wellbeing.

Thank you for your kindness, love, and support during this difficult time for the LaRush family.