Support Heather and Harlee's NICU Journey

Hello. My name is April Stewart. The picture is of my daughter, Heather, and her teeny tiny baby girl, Harlee Raylynn. We need help very badly. We are asking for any financial assistance anyone can spare. Having applied to several agencies and not-for-profits, with slim results, I started this Gofundme for them and their immediate family. Harlee has a 9-year-old brother, Zeppelin. And two angel brothers that her mommy lost at birth due to complications during her pregnancies.

Miraculously, Harlee was born 11 weeks early, weighed 2 pounds 7.5 ounces, and was 14 inches long and could breathe on her own. She is 11 days old. Harlee is currently in the NICU.

She was quite a surprise to all of us because Heather found out she was pregnant just 3 days before having an emergency c-section. After I finally realized she had been not feeling well for a couple of months and began taking her vitals and then took her to the ER, she was experiencing blood pressure readings so high it could have resulted in stroke, seizure, or death, and loss of our little miracle that we didn't even know about. Harlee's Dad is in IDOC having taken a plea a couple of months before we knew she was on her way. Unprepared is an understatement. Heather has since been released with multiple medicines, therefore cannot breastfeed and when Harlee comes home she will be on formula. Also, Heather cannot go back to work until released by doctors and that is anticipated to be way longer than the average 6-week post-birth time frame. Heather's Dad and I have been attempting to help her financially but it is just not enough and bills are piling up and overdue and shutoff notices are coming in. We all live 45 mins away from the hospital, we have one truck between all of us and traveling back and forth is costly and doesn't allow Mom to be at the hospital as much or as long as she can. We all know Harlee will grow stronger and quicker with her Mommy being there more often for longer periods of time. Heather is attempting to split her time between Harlee in the Nicu and home with her 9 yr old, Zeppelin so her monthly living expenses continue to pile up. Please take the time to donate. Any amount will help. Thank you and God Bless! Please share and sincerely from the bottom of hearts thank you, much love please share