Ruby Trost is 11 years old. She is a sixth-grader at Utica Middle School, a horse enthusiast, an animal whisperer, a future horse trainer, a loving sister, and a beautiful daughter. Ruby is funny, strong, smart, courageous, and bright. She doesn’t give up without a fight, and right now she needs your help.

 

On Thursday evening, February 3rd, Ruby began to complain of a severe and persistent headache. After she crawled into bed with her parents, Jen and Chris, she became unresponsive and then began having seizures. Ruby was rushed to the hospital, where doctors determined that she has a rare brain condition called brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture, a tangle of abnormal blood vessels that serve to connect arteries and veins in the brain. Ruby was quickly transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital during a severe snowstorm and underwent emergency neural surgery.

At present, Ruby is recovering from her surgery, under sedation, in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She is making some progress: moving limbs and responding to touch. Ruby and her family have a long road ahead of them, but they are very hopeful that she will make a full recovery.

Your donation will (1) help support the Trost family as they take time away from work to support Ruby, and (2) help defray the significant medical expenses that Ruby’s recovery will require. Ruby’s parents, Jen and Chris, are both teachers, at Utica High School and Utica Elementary School, respectively. Ruby’s younger sister and BFF, Clara, is in the third grade at Utica Elementary. The Trosts are a very tightly-knit and loving family. Ruby’s recovery is something they’re doing together. Thanks for being a part of it.

To send Ruby a card, please visit this link: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/greeting-card Her room number is H10B31