Supporting Baby Girl and the Kehler Family Through a Critical Heart Journey

Earlier this year, Ryan & Sarah Kehler joyfully found out they were expecting their third child, a little baby girl. At their routine 22-week ultrasound they received the devasting news that their baby girl has an extremely rare and severe congenital heart defect. The prognosis from their medical team was that she was not expected to survive to birth. Ryan & Sarah decided to proceed with the pregnancy, and, against all odds, their little baby girl has continued to fight and grow right on track. Now, at 35 weeks, the family must relocate from Manitoba to Edmonton so she can be delivered near a specialized cardiac team. Sarah must fly before 36 weeks, so the move is happening immediately. When she is born, their baby girl will need immediate medical intervention, and she has just a 50/50 chance of surviving her first hour. Because of the severity of her heart condition, doctors are still unsure whether her lungs have developed; this leaves many unknowns about her first moments and the care she will require. There are also further uncertainties about how many surgeries she will need or what her long-term medical journey will look like.

Why We Are Asking for Help

Ryan and Sarah will be in Edmonton with their 4-year-old twins for an unknown length of time while their newborn daughter receives the critical care she needs. Some major costs, including the baby girl’s medical care, as well as Ryan & Sarah’s flights and accommodations, have thankfully been covered. However, the family still faces financial strain:

- Ongoing fixed expenses back home (mortgage, insurance, etc.)

- Daily living expenses for the twins while in Edmonton

- Additional costs that arise during an emergency out-of-province relocation (essentials, etc.)

- Potential recurring expenses (travel, childcare, essentials, etc.) for further surgeries and medication

- Supplemental support for caregivers coming to assist

Both Ryan and Sarah are self-employed with limited income while they are away and no maternity/paternity benefits. As their length of stay in Edmonton is unknown, budgeting is extremely difficult.

All funds from this GoFundMe will go directly to Ryan and Sarah.

Your support will help them keep up with basic expenses, care for their twins, and remain by their daughter’s side during the most critical days of her life.

We Are Also Asking for Prayers

Alongside financial support, the family is deeply grateful for prayers:

- For a miracle and protection over this precious baby girl.

- For strength, peace, and endurance for Ryan and Sarah.

- For comfort and stability for their twins during this major transition.

- For wisdom and steady hands for every medical professional involved.

- For hope in the midst of so many unknowns.

Your generosity and prayers mean so much to Ryan & Sarah and their family. Thank you for surrounding this family with love and support as they prepare for their daughter’s arrival and the critical days ahead.

If you would like to follow along their journey Ryan will be posting regular updates here:

https://open.substack.com/pub/kehlers/p/how-do-you-pack-for-trip-with-no?r=5hpkil&utm_medium=ios