Chelsea, her partner Mikel, and their newborn baby McKinley are facing an unimaginable challenge. McKinley was born on December 30th at 2:22 am after a long and difficult labor that ended in an emergency c-section. Immediately after birth, it became clear that McKinley was struggling to breathe. She had swallowed meconium in utero, and her tiny lungs were filled with fluid. Despite being given 100% oxygen, her levels remained dangerously low.

As the medical team worked to stabilize her, Chelsea noticed something else was wrong. After persistent pleas for help, doctors discovered that McKinley was having seizures, including one that lasted 14 minutes. The doctors quickly made the decision to sedate McKinley and begin hypothermic cooling, lowering her core temperature to give her brain and body a chance to rest. Right now, McKinley is fighting hard, but her condition is still unstable and the full extent of her brain swelling is unknown.

Chelsea is the sole provider for her family and works in the construction industry. If she isn’t at the job site, she doesn’t earn an income. During this critical time, she is doing everything she can to be a rock for Mikel and advocate for their small family. The financial strain of being away from work, combined with the emotional toll of McKinley’s condition, is overwhelming. Your support will help keep this family afloat—easing the burden on Chelsea’s shoulders so she can focus on what matters most: being there for her partner and their precious baby girl. Thank you in advance for any support you are able to give, whether it’s sharing, donating, or sending love and prayers to Chelsea, Mikel, and McKinley.