My daughter Panko is only three months old, and she has already shown more strength than I ever imagined possible. Panko was born with a complete AVSD—a heart defect where the wall between the two chambers of her heart did not form properly. Because of this, the oxygen-rich and de-oxygenated blood in her heart mix together, causing her to be severely drowsy and making her little body burn 50% more calories than the average baby. Gaining weight is a difficult and long journey for her, and every day brings new challenges. Her surgery should be in about 6-8 weeks, and we need to get her weight up to 11 lbs before the surgery for a speedy recovery.

Since Panko’s birth, our lives have been filled with hospital visits, specialist appointments, and a constant focus on her care. Going back to work for us isn’t an option, not only because of Panko’s extensive feeding and care schedule, but also because she has an older brother who is just 22 months old and needs us, too. Our savings for the new baby have been stretched to the limit, and the costs of traveling for Panko’s treatment are adding up quickly.

Every day is a new opportunity to be grateful for the support and love we’ve received from friends, family, and even strangers. The funds raised here will go directly toward travel expenses for Panko’s medical care and help cover our daily living costs while I stay home to care for her and her brother. This support will allow us to focus on what matters most: giving Panko the best possible chance at a healthy future and getting her ready for her surgery.

We are so grateful for anyone who has a little extra to help us in our time of need. I know we will get back onto our feet, but it’s been a wild ride—nothing like we expected. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering a donation or sharing our story.