Your Help Can Heal Baby Journi's Heart

Hello, my name is Markeyta, and I’m reaching out with a humble heart to share our story. On November 26, 2024, I was blessed with the arrival of my beautiful baby girl Journi —my third child and a gift I didn’t know I needed. Born six years after my second child, she has brought so much love and light into our family.

While her arrival was a joyful surprise, it also came with challenges I never imagined. During delivery, I lost a significant amount of blood and almost required a transfusion. Thankfully, the medical team stabilized me, but soon after, I received news no parent is ever prepared to hear: my baby girl was diagnosed with a heart murmur caused by two holes in her heart—a condition called atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). More About ASD and VSD

In mid-December, we spent three long nights at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. The doctors found fluid in her lungs and discovered that the holes in her heart were preventing oxygen from being properly distributed to her vital organs. It was heartbreaking to see her tiny body working so hard to stay strong. She’s now on life-saving medications and a special diet as we pray that these holes close naturally. If they don’t, she will need open-heart surgery—a possibility that weighs heavily on my heart.

While I’m endlessly grateful that Medicaid and private insurance covered her hospital stay, the process of getting her Medicaid approval has been slow. This means I’ve had to pay for her critical medications out-of-pocket. These medications are not optional—they are keeping her alive as her little heart works to heal.

On top of these medical challenges, I didn’t sign up for short-term disability through my job, so my maternity leave is unpaid. With the holidays here and the uncertainty of when I can return to work, the financial strain has been overwhelming.

I am turning to the kindness of others, asking for support during this time of need. Your generosity will help us with:

• Paying for my baby’s life-saving medications

• Covering everyday expenses during my unpaid maternity leave

• Giving me the ability to focus on her care without the constant worry of bills

Every single donation, no matter the size, is a blessing. Your love and support will help give my baby girl the best chance to grow, thrive, and heal. We are holding onto hope, praying that her heart will mend with time and love.

Thank you for reading our story and for keeping my sweet girl in your thoughts and prayers. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping us during this difficult time.