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Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated a truly magical milestone: our son, Otto, turned one year old!
Otto is everything we ever dreamed of and more. He has a smile that can light up any room, a contagious giggle, and a curious spirit that keeps us on our toes. His favorite things are doing anything his brother is doing, watching others, eating, and watching him learn and grow has been the greatest joy of our lives.
We celebrated his birthday with some dinner, a quick dessert, and opening presents, filled with so much hope and excitement for his future.
The joy of his first birthday was quickly replaced by shock and fear. On Thanksgiving evening, we noticed Otto was not feeling well and developed a fever that persisted over the next few days. His fever would not break and with high temperatures we brought him into the Emergency Room on November 30. That is when our world was turned upside down with the devastating news: our sweet baby boy has been diagnosed with Leukemia.
We are still processing this reality, but Otto’s battle began immediately. He is currently undergoing treatment at Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Denver. The doctors are hopeful, but the path ahead is long and challenging. His treatment plan is expected to span 6 to 9 months and will involve many weeks spent in the hospital, countless tests, and intensive care.
A childhood cancer diagnosis doesn't just affect the patient; it affects the entire family. For us, this means:
- Financial Strain: The medical costs are overwhelming, even with insurance. There are co-pays, deductibles, medications, and specialized treatments not always fully covered.
- Loss of Income: One or both of us will need to be at the hospital full-time to care for Otto. We have supportive workplaces, but ultimately only have so much leave time banked, which could result in loss of income.
- Logistical Challenges: We have ongoing expenses like travel to and from the hospital, food during long stays, and maintaining our home while focusing entirely on our son's health.
We are humbled to ask for your support as we focus all our energy on getting Otto healthy. Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward:
- Life-Saving Medical Care (co-pays, deductibles, and unexpected treatment costs).
- Maintaining Our Household (mortgage/rent, utilities, and daily necessities while income is lost).
- Specialized Care and Equipment
If you are unable to donate, we ask for two things: Please share our story, and send your prayers and positive energy to our brave little warrior.
Thank you for wrapping your arms around our family during the hardest time of our lives. We believe in Otto’s strength, and we are fighting this alongside him, one day at a time.
With immense gratitude,
The Somerfeld Family
Gus, Holly, LeRoy, and our Hero, Otto
