Supporting Sylvie's fight

Hey everyone,

I am opening this gofundme to benefit the Mills family, as they continue to charge forth in the battle for health with their young daughter, Sylvie.

Just shy of two years old, Sylvie and her parents should be simply enjoying the whimsical and precious time of toddlerhood. Instead, they are collectively fighting for her life.

Sylvie has a low grade pilarastrocytoma brain tumor located behind her eye nerves and pituitary gland. For the past year, she has been receiving chemotherapy treatments at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. Although this was initially proving to be successful in shrinking the tumor, the tumor has stopped responding to chemo and has resumed growing again. This is now causing blockages in her ventricles, resulting in the inability of her brain fluid to drain properly, and causing swelling, increased nausea, and frequent vomiting.

Tomorrow, March 7, Sylvie will go to Boston Children's Hospital to meet with the neurosurgeon, who will determine whether the tumor can be debulked, as full resection would cause permanent blindness and/or other neurological deficits, and/or adding a shunt to allow the fluid to drain to prevent further swelling and complications.

Although this is not a brand new battle for this little family, these new discoveries are telling them that it's far from over.

This is obviously a battle that no parent should have to fight, and the stress and emotional anguish are immeasurable. Although no amount of money can relieve the worry for Sylvie, it CAN help relieve the stress that NO ONE should have piled on top of a situation like theirs.

Hunter and Shawna are both strong, hardworking people, who must now figure out how to balance the everyday expenses of life, with being there with their daughter during this most vital and difficult time.

Expenses like rent, groceries, gas, and utilities are proving difficult with frequent and multiple days of missed work for both of them. Add on the extra travel expenses while trekking to Lebanon and Boston, and it's easy to fall behind quickly.

Imagine, for a moment, trying to navigate the most brutal storm possible as a parent, and having to also worry about affording the basic necessities.

I am calling on all of you to reach into your hearts, and find the compassion and magnanimity to help this family through this incredibly difficult and trying time.

Even a small donation can provide a meal on the road, a tank of gas, or even a comfort item for Sylvie.

I hope that you will consider helping this family in their greatest time of need.