I'm Blake Switzer, and Ashley is my adult niece, married to Ryan, and together they have a bright, spunky, and loving 3-year-old daughter named Calli Mae. Recently, Calli was admitted to the hospital with a serious heart condition. She is currently on ECMO, a machine that is fully supporting her ailing heart, and will need to remain on it for 1-2 weeks.

The best path forward for Calli is a heart transplant, but the wait time for a donor is expected to be 9-12 months. During this time, Calli will be fitted with a Berlin Heart Pump to help her heart function while she waits. She will remain in the hospital for the entire duration, and after her transplant, she will need to be protected for the first year as her body builds a new immune system.

Through all of this, Ryan and Ashley have not left Calli Mae's side. For the duration of Calli's year-long stay at the hospital, Ashley will call Texas Children's Hospital home. The emotional and financial toll is immense, as Ashley and Ryan face mounting medical bills, daily living expenses, meals, and practical needs like toiletries while being away from home. Your support will help ease their burden and allow them to focus on what matters most: being there for Calli Mae every step of the way.

In just 3 years, Calli Mae has shown such strength and resilience. Your kindness and generosity will make a world of difference for this family as they navigate the long road ahead. My wife Shawn and I were on the receiving end of a GoFundMe campaign when our daughter became very ill in 2019. As a parent, you'll pay any price to care for your child, but the financial burden is real. The kindness and generosity of others lightened the load during the darkest season of our lives. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.