Support Baby Harry's NICU needs!
Donation protected
The Back Story:
I'm creating this Go Fund Me page on behalf of my dear friend of many years and fellow Mary Baldwin alum, Andrea Kelley Dewhurst.
On October 12, 2017, Andrea and her husband Paul welcomed Baby "Harry" Harold Paul Isaac Dewhurst into the world at 1 pound, 14 oz, and 9 3/4 inches long at 31 weeks and six days. Earlier that day, recognizing that something was very wrong, Andrea consulted the advice of her obstetrician. Knowing that a dire emergency was at hand, her obstetrician personally drove Andrea to Baptist East Montgomery Hospital, where she underwent an emergency C-Section to deliver her only child, beautiful Harry.
The Obstacles:
As a micro preemie, since his very early birth, Baby Harry has overcome a number of extremely serious battles. Throughout his time in the NICU ward, Little Harry has battled relentlessly.
In his very immediate days, Harry endured a ventilator, a Cpap, a nose canula, low platelets and white blood cell counts, antibiotics, tubes in his umbilical artery/vein, a pic line for blood work, sporadic oxygen and heart rates, and poor digestion.
His mother and father had only just been able to hold him, 8 days after his arrival, when hours later, severe complications struck Harry. He was immediately transferred to Birmingham's UAB Women’s and Children’s Hospital to undergo treatment for a spontaneous perforation of the bowel, which required a drain into Harry’s abdomen.
His condition is extremely serious, and, although the stakes are high, he has been an unwavering fighter since his miraculous entry into this world!
As long as I have known Andrea (almost a decade), she has longed to have a family of her own. I was elated to attend the gorgeous, moving wedding ceremony for her and Paul, as they were married in November 2011, in the very same small town Alabama church where Andrea's parents had wed so many decades prior. Truly, there has never been a couple more deserving and more lovingly equipped to raise a child. They, by their faith in by and the mighty grace of God, along with the support of their extremely loving immediate family, have weathered the storm thus far.
The Costs:
As anyone could imagine, the medical costs of treating a micro preemie for an extended period of time in a NICU ward are utterly astronomical, even with health insurance.
Additionally, Andrea has had to leave her home in Montgomery, while Paul must continue to work there to support his wife and gravely ill newborn son. Andrea will have to obtain housing in Birmingham, at an additional cost to their normal living expenses. Paul will be traveling back and forth as much as is possible. Andrea will also be unable to return to the job she loves, teaching English and Drama at a middle school, for several months while Harry recuperates and builds his strength.
Andrea, Paul, and Harry are in need of any financial support you can provide. With a single income, the family will need assistance to pay for basic living expenses, such as housing costs, food, and gas to travel to be with their baby son, as well as, the vast medical costs of the necessary procedures that both Andrea and Harry have endured.
How You Can Help:
In light of the monumental costs that Andrea, Paul, and Harry will face on a reduced income for medical care and general living expenses, I have initially set what I believe is a modest goal of $5000 to assist them in what will surely be an extensive, incredibly expensive, difficult journey to keep Baby Harry safe, and, ultimately, bring him home to his loving parents.
Absolutely any small increment of financial support toward this family's incredibly worthy cause would be appreciated beyond words.
If you are not in a position to donate financially, we are just as grateful for any prayers for the healing and well-being of the family, and are equally thankful if you could please share this link with your friends and loved ones to bring attention to the family's needs.
I genuinely believe that we reap what we sow. This is a very hard working family in an unimaginable circumstance. We are all exceedingly grateful for all of your contributions, shares, and prayers.
Much Love,
Charly
I'm creating this Go Fund Me page on behalf of my dear friend of many years and fellow Mary Baldwin alum, Andrea Kelley Dewhurst.
On October 12, 2017, Andrea and her husband Paul welcomed Baby "Harry" Harold Paul Isaac Dewhurst into the world at 1 pound, 14 oz, and 9 3/4 inches long at 31 weeks and six days. Earlier that day, recognizing that something was very wrong, Andrea consulted the advice of her obstetrician. Knowing that a dire emergency was at hand, her obstetrician personally drove Andrea to Baptist East Montgomery Hospital, where she underwent an emergency C-Section to deliver her only child, beautiful Harry.
The Obstacles:
As a micro preemie, since his very early birth, Baby Harry has overcome a number of extremely serious battles. Throughout his time in the NICU ward, Little Harry has battled relentlessly.
In his very immediate days, Harry endured a ventilator, a Cpap, a nose canula, low platelets and white blood cell counts, antibiotics, tubes in his umbilical artery/vein, a pic line for blood work, sporadic oxygen and heart rates, and poor digestion.
His mother and father had only just been able to hold him, 8 days after his arrival, when hours later, severe complications struck Harry. He was immediately transferred to Birmingham's UAB Women’s and Children’s Hospital to undergo treatment for a spontaneous perforation of the bowel, which required a drain into Harry’s abdomen.
His condition is extremely serious, and, although the stakes are high, he has been an unwavering fighter since his miraculous entry into this world!
As long as I have known Andrea (almost a decade), she has longed to have a family of her own. I was elated to attend the gorgeous, moving wedding ceremony for her and Paul, as they were married in November 2011, in the very same small town Alabama church where Andrea's parents had wed so many decades prior. Truly, there has never been a couple more deserving and more lovingly equipped to raise a child. They, by their faith in by and the mighty grace of God, along with the support of their extremely loving immediate family, have weathered the storm thus far.
The Costs:
As anyone could imagine, the medical costs of treating a micro preemie for an extended period of time in a NICU ward are utterly astronomical, even with health insurance.
Additionally, Andrea has had to leave her home in Montgomery, while Paul must continue to work there to support his wife and gravely ill newborn son. Andrea will have to obtain housing in Birmingham, at an additional cost to their normal living expenses. Paul will be traveling back and forth as much as is possible. Andrea will also be unable to return to the job she loves, teaching English and Drama at a middle school, for several months while Harry recuperates and builds his strength.
Andrea, Paul, and Harry are in need of any financial support you can provide. With a single income, the family will need assistance to pay for basic living expenses, such as housing costs, food, and gas to travel to be with their baby son, as well as, the vast medical costs of the necessary procedures that both Andrea and Harry have endured.
How You Can Help:
In light of the monumental costs that Andrea, Paul, and Harry will face on a reduced income for medical care and general living expenses, I have initially set what I believe is a modest goal of $5000 to assist them in what will surely be an extensive, incredibly expensive, difficult journey to keep Baby Harry safe, and, ultimately, bring him home to his loving parents.
Absolutely any small increment of financial support toward this family's incredibly worthy cause would be appreciated beyond words.
If you are not in a position to donate financially, we are just as grateful for any prayers for the healing and well-being of the family, and are equally thankful if you could please share this link with your friends and loved ones to bring attention to the family's needs.
I genuinely believe that we reap what we sow. This is a very hard working family in an unimaginable circumstance. We are all exceedingly grateful for all of your contributions, shares, and prayers.
Much Love,
Charly
Organizer and beneficiary
Charly Gilliam
Organizer
Asheville, NC
Andrea Dewhurst
Beneficiary
