We would never do this unless absolutely necessary, but we are starting a fundraiser to help alleviate some of the financial burden surrounding Val’s upcoming open-heart surgery, the Fontan procedure. We just got informed her surgery will take place on September 28th at UMMC, just two weeks away. 

As many of you know, Val was diagnosed in utero at 25 weeks with Tricuspid Atresia, a congenital heart defect. Since then, it has been one doctor’s appointment after another, one procedure after another, and one surgery after another. She has been fighting since day one.

Unfortunately, due to my field of work, I receive very little paid time off or sick leave. Even when our baby is undergoing surgery, the bills don’t stop. This will be Val’s third and final surgery—her first was at just three days old, her second at six months, and now this one.

If everything goes as planned, she will be hospitalized for approximately three to seven days, followed by a recovery of six weeks or more. Wagner and I will each be taking at least a week off from work so that we can be by her side throughout this process.

Val is a fighter, and we’re confident that everything will turn out well. ❤️ But the financial stress of everything has been weighing heavily on both of us. More than anything, we want to be fully present for our baby without constantly worrying about how we’re going to manage the financial impact of being away from work.

If you’re able to donate, we would be incredibly grateful. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser or simply keeping Val in your thoughts means more to us than you know.

Thank you for loving and supporting our little fighter through every step of this journey. ❤️