Support DeAndre McNeil's Memorial Fund

Our sweet baby boy, DeAndre McNeil has gained his angel wings. He was just 8 years old, but he lived with a strength, spirit, and light that touched everyone who knew him.

Dre’s story began even before birth. At just 4 months pregnant, his mother faced complications with his placenta. A week before delivery, Dre’s heart rate dropped. Doctors decided to keep his mother for a week to monitor her. Due to Dre’s heart flow doctors decided to giver her an emergency C-section. Born 3 months early and weighing only 1.6 ounces, Dre came into this world fighting. Though he briefly breathed on his own, he was quickly placed on a ventilator, and his journey through the NICU began. His first 17 months were filled with challenges, feeding issues, medical errors, conflicting doctor decisions, and constant setbacks. Yet Dre proved again and again that he was here for a reason. He beat the odds time and time again. From NICU to PICU and back, Dre endured surgeries, medication changes, and department transfers, sometimes due to miscommunication between teams. He fought through hypertension, seizures, fluid retention, and developmental delays caused by limited mobility and extended hospital stays. A big step for him to move on to Mount Washington Dre had to become trach, oxygen and g-tube dependent. But still, he smiled. Still, he gave us hope. Even though he was in the ICU, we got to celebrate his 1st birthday with him and surround him with love.

Eventually, Dre was transferred to Mount Washington, a rehabilitation center where his parents were trained to care for him. It was there that we learned he had a brain injury, but Dre never let that define him. After his long but great hospital stay, he finally came home…and that is where he began to thrive. He came off the ventilator, then gradually came off the oxygen, which allowed him to be capped to breathe on his own. He also learned how to drink from a cup, eat puréed foods, and at age 5–6, he started school which was something he genuinely loved. He made friends, enjoyed being around his peers, and lit up every room he entered. Despite living with chronic lung disease, he handled everyday colds like a champ. For years he had minor hospitalizations, but his health was stable, and he thrived at home.

In April, after a brief return to school Dre began bleeding from his trach and was rushed to University but ultimately transferred to John Hopkins. It was discovered that a granuloma had formed in his throat and was consistently leaking into his lungs. From there his health challenges began to intensify. He developed hypertension, his kidneys began to fail, and he needed multiple blood transfusions and dialysis. During dialysis he suffered from two infections and his arterial line had to be removed. Doctors decided not to replace the line due to a blood clot that was near his heart. Dre was released from the hospital in October to recover, however it was known that eventually he would have to go through procedures for a new dialysis approach; Peritoneal Dialysis. The transition was exceedingly difficult, his longtime nurse had to leave, and new caregivers were not as familiar with his needs.

In November he received his new line, afterwards he returned home on Thanksgiving; healing, and hopeful for the next part of his journey. In December he was admitted to the hospital, Dre began receiving his dialysis treatment. Additionally, there was a wait for his parents to be trained on managing his dialysis at home. Dre stayed in inpatient care and officially returned home in February.

During this time, he was doing okay— healing and doing the best he could. There may have been some ups and down, but he was adapting despite everything his body was going through. He had started rehabilitation, as well as school. However, not every story is perfect. He did run into some bumps in the road from his dialysis line breaking and he was treat one day which is protocol. However, despite being treated for his infection De’Andre appearance was noticeably bad.

Sadly, eight days later in June his condition took a turn. He was hospitalized for low blood pressure, an infection and discomfort. Dre became visibly irritable, unable to sleep and no longer wanted to play with the toys he loved so much. He was exhausted. His family waited for new medication that could calm and comfort him, but it was too late. Dre suffered two seizures in one day, and our strong, sweet warrior could not fight anymore.

We are devastated. But we are also so proud.

In eight years, Dre fought harder and smiled brighter than anyone we’ve ever known. He endured more than most adults could handle, and he did it with grace, strength, and love.

How You Can Help

Dre’s passing came at a tough and and unexpected time. We are raising funds to help cover his funeral and memorial arrangements and give him the peaceful farewell he deserves.

If you can contribute; no matter the amount, please know it will be received with deep love and gratitude. Every donation, every prayer, and every share helps us honor Dre and support his parents during this unimaginable time.

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for loving Dre.

With love,

The Family