Support Elsie Rae's Fight for Life

My name is Delaina McKinney, and I am raising funds for our sweet grandniece, Elsie. We have prayed for this little girl's arrival for a long 7 years and she is truly a gift from the Lord. Elsie was born a few weeks early at the Niswonger Children's Hospital in Johnson City. She needed some help with breathing at birth so she went straight to Niswonger's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Based on her care team's recommendation, Elsie needed a higher level of care and was emergently transported to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, not knowing if she would survive the stress of the long transport. Upon arrival to Vanderbilt her infections and many other complications, including sepsis, received the necessary higher care and she began to improve. Her recovery process has had good days and, unfortunately, some bad days. This routine of one step forward and two steps back can be challenging at times, but Elsie’s Dad says that this, “unfortunately is the life of the ICU." We ask for prayers for Elsie’s continued healing and improvement and for Mom and Dad to continue to remain strong. Dad has been taking on dual roles of going to Physician Assistant school during the week and then going to Vanderbilt on the weekends to be Full-time Dad and Husband. Mom is holding up with the help of God’s grace and prayers, remaining daily in the NICU at Elsie’s bedside advocating for, as she calls Elsie, her “Sweet little girl”. They have been doing this for over three months all the while medical bills are mounting and the back and forth traveling expenses are overwhelming. While they do have medical insurance, they have a huge co-pay that is beyond what most family budgets would have in an emergency fund for such a huge life-altering event. Most of us would be incapable of having tens of thousands of dollars available for an emergency, especially at this time in a young married couple’s life. We invite you, if you feel so led, to participate in this GoFundMe for this sweet family during this difficult time as they journey through this season of their lives. Any amount of donation would be helpful and a blessing. They believe in God’s goodness and know He has big plans for Elsie. They continue to be a testimony of Faith in Action while they navigate the day to day living expenses as well as providing for a family during this indeterminate period of time. Please continue to pray for Elsie by name, hoping we can bring her home healthy one day soon!