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Our Story:
Hello friends, family, and kind strangers. Our names are Erica Garcia and Preston Bitsily, and we are reaching out with humble hearts to ask for support for our precious newborn daughter, Emilia, who is currently fighting for her life in the NICU.
Emilia was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) during a routine prenatal scan. CDH means her diaphragm did not form completely, leaving a hole that allowed her abdominal organs to move into her chest cavity. This put immense pressure on her heart and severely limited the development of her lungs.
The news turned our world upside down. We had to relocate hundreds of miles away from our home in Las Cruces, NM, to Houston, TX, so Emilia could receive specialized, life-saving care at a hospital with a top-tier Level IV NICU that is equipped to treat severe CDH cases.
Emilia is a fighter. She has already undergone so much, including her major surgery to repair the hernia and move her organs to their correct position. Her road to recovery is long and challenging, and she is expected to remain in the NICU for an extended period—potentially 3 to 6 months or more.
The Challenge We Face:
While we focus all our energy on supporting Emilia's fight, the financial burden of this journey is quickly becoming overwhelming. We are far from our support system and facing unexpected costs that insurance does not cover.
Your generous donations will go directly toward helping us manage these essential expenses:
- Lodging: Covering the cost of a place to stay near the hospital so we can be at Emilia's bedside whenever she needs us.
- Food and Daily Living Expenses: Ensuring we are nourished and can focus on Emilia without worrying about the daily costs of living away from home.
- Medical Expenses: Assisting with the piling medical bills, co-pays, medications, and specialized equipment that come with a severe CDH diagnosis and extended NICU stay.
- Transportation: Covering gas and travel expenses for necessary trips back and forth, including potential follow-up visits after discharge.
How You Can Help:
We know everyone cannot donate, but your support means the world to us. Here are the ways you can make a difference:
- Donate: Any amount you can contribute will ease our financial stress and allow us to be present for Emilia.
- Share: Please share our story and GoFundMe link on your social media pages, with friends, family, and community groups. Spreading the word is incredibly helpful.
- Pray/Send Positive Thoughts: We appreciate all the prayers and well wishes for our little girl's full recovery.
We will post regular updates here to keep you informed on Emilia's progress. Your kindness and generosity during this incredibly difficult time are a beacon of hope for our family.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a part of baby Emilia's journey.
With love and gratitude,
Erica Garcia and Preston Bitsily,
(Emilia's Parents)