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Support for Stella

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As many of you have heard Allie and Alex are facing a dark and scary time.  The Shock Trauma ICU is rallying behind the Abels to provide whatever support we can to Allie and Alex during this especially tough time with the uncertainty that lays ahead. We decided to start this GoFundMe in order to give back to the family who gives so much of themselves to others. Please share this link with anyone you know who may want to help this young couple and their new firstborn!

Allie and Alex have been trying to start a family for more than two years now.  After many challenges, they were both elated to find out that they were pregnant with a baby girl! During her prenatal visits Baby Stella was diagnosed in-utero with hydrocephalus and the Abels were told that she would need a surgical intervention early in her life to relieve the excess fluid in her brain. Even though the new parents were saddened by this news, they were hopeful that an intervention (shunt) would resolve her health risks and she would go on to live a long and happy life.  However, days after Stella was born they soon learned that this was just the beginning of Stella’s journey.

Stella was born February 3, 2020 at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN.  Just days after having their new beautiful baby, their world would be turned upside down yet again.  Doctors identified brain malformations and abnormalities on little Stella’s MRI that were very concerning.  Along with her MRI, doctors have identified other conditions/symptoms that are characteristic of Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD). There are around 30 specific types of congenital muscular dystrophies all of which are genetic, degenerative diseases primarily affecting voluntary muscles involving simple things we take for granted: eating, talking, moving and even breathing.  Depending on the type, CMD may also involve spinal curvature, respiratory insufficiency, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, eye defects, seizures and heart problems. Progression varies with each type. Although many types are slowly progressive; some may drastically shorten life span. Along with a neonatologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, cardiologist, ophthalmologist, and gastroenterologist, now a geneticist is on board, as CMD disorders are genetic in nature. The genetists wanted to send off a genetic panel for different Congenital Muscular Dystrophy disorders.  These results will not be back for at least a month. In the mean time, there are many teams of doctors trying to put a plan together to give Stella a fighting chance.  So as you can see, there are a lot of unknowns right now.

As Allie and Alex anxiously wait for any news, lets make it easier on them to preserve each second they have with Stella so they can maximize Stella’s time on this earth.  While these young parents are facing challenges that no parent should ever have to face, Allie and Alex continue to find hope and strength in each other, family, friends and their faith to help give Stella the best fighting chance.

Allie, a nurse in the Shock Trauma ICU, has devoted herself to saving lives and helping others.  Any co-worker would agree that she is one of the most compassionate, selfless, cheerful, and hard-working nurses they know.  Now it is our turn to give back to someone who countlessly gives her time and energy to others.  Stella, Allie and Alex have a long fight ahead of them. Baby Stella remains in the NICU and they are camping out at the hospital to spend as much time with her as possible, as well as to be present to speak to all the different teams of doctors when they make their rounds. Allie and Alex live over an hour away from the hospital so they have applied to stay at the Ronald McDonald House as they do not know what lies ahead for little Stella. They are going to need help.  Emotionally no one can imagine what they’re having to go through and we are hoping that this will help the financial burden be a little bit less of a worry when they have much more important things to be focused on.

All funds will be distributed to Alex and Allie to help relieve the financial burden during this stressful time.

We will try to keep this page updated as Allie and Alex find out more about baby Stella’s condition.
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Donations 

  • Jake Brigham
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Jessica Shadwick
    • $15 
    • 4 yrs
  • Whitney Roe
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Kim Belling
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $600 
    • 4 yrs
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Fundraising team: Shock Trauma ICU (4)

Kristen Leger
Organizer
Raised $415 from 8 donations
Chattanooga, TN
Allie Abel
Beneficiary
Dakota Ledbetter
Team member
Raised $590 from 9 donations
Kristy Barnett Pritchett
Team member
Raised $270 from 2 donations
Kelsey Smith
Team member
Raised $150 from 2 donations
This team raised $11,605 from 153 other donations.

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