Family and friends, I want to thank you for taking a moment out of your day to read and share this story about my nephew, Elias. In December, my sister-in-law Sara and her husband TJ welcomed their first child into this world, a beautiful baby boy.

In February of this year, Elias started to show signs that he was having seizures. After medical appointments, emergency department visits, and inpatient hospitalizations, it was confirmed that Elias was having seizures.

These seizures have turned into the diagnosis of epilepsy, and Elias has continued to suffer from uncontrollable focal seizures, which has landed him back at Lurie’s Hospital in Chicago, where he will continue to be until he is stable enough to return home. At this point in time, it is uncertain how long it will be until he can return home. Elias is suffering from several seizures every single day, and at some points, his oxygen levels decline rapidly, which requires emergency medical interventions.

Family and friends, Sara & TJ need our help. Sara is a stay-at-home mother while her husband works to provide for his family. TJ is taking the necessary time off work to be there to support their precious baby and his wife. While at the hospital, they are having to pay for parking their car overnight in the city, the meals at the hospital for themselves, and most importantly, the never-ending cost of Elias’s medical care. When Elias is stable enough to return home, they will be faced with more costs of specialized infant formula through prescription, daily anti-seizure medications, and so much more.

If you can find it in your heart to support this family, it would truly mean the world to us. This isn’t going to be an easy journey. Elias is only 3 months old, and he has his whole life ahead of him. Please pray for Elias and his parents during this extremely difficult time.

Thank you,

Caitlin & Jacob