My granddaughter, Solveig Mincheff, was born on 7/29/26. Shortly after birth, she was diagnosed with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Later that same day, we learned she also has a heart defect called an AVSD, which means she has two holes in her heart and one common valve instead of two separate valves.

In the coming months, my son and daughter-in-law will need to travel with Solveig to Seattle Children’s Hospital for open-heart surgery. Her care team anticipates surgery at the beginning of December, unless she needs emergency surgery sooner. They expect to be in Seattle for at least two weeks while she receives the care she needs.

As they try to care for their newborn and prepare for this major surgery, our family is facing the emotional weight of these diagnoses on top of the normal anxiety that comes with welcoming a new baby. They are also feeling the financial strain of travel costs, medical bills, and time away from work during Solveig’s treatment and recovery period in Seattle.

Any support will help ease that burden and allow them to focus on being there for Solveig during this critical time. Donations will go toward travel costs and medical bills as they prepare for her surgery and stay in Seattle. If you are able to give or share this fundraiser, it would mean so much to our family.