Please help Lorelei and pass the word!

Since I started dating Preston, I met many wonderful Army wives and girlfriends who have become dear friends of mine. They have helped me so much over the past 2 years and now one of them needs help and support.

Lorelei's has HLHS, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome which is a rare congenital heart defect in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped. In babies with HLHS, the aorta and left ventricle are very small, and the aortic and mitral valves are either too small to allow sufficient blood flow or are atretic (closed) altogether. As blood returns from the lungs to the left atrium, it must pass through an atrial septal defect to the right side of the heart.

In a healthy human, the left side of the heart receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it out to the rest of the body; with these structures underdeveloped, they cannot circulate blood to other organs, and the right ventricle must pump blood to both the lungs, as it would normally, and to the rest of the body, a situation which cannot be sustained for long.In cases of HLHS, the right side of the heart often must pump blood to the body through a patent ductus arteriosus. As the ductus arteriosus usually closes within eleven days after birth, blood flow is severely restricted and eventually cut off, leading to dangerously low circulation and eventually to shock.Without treatment, HLHS is fatal, but with intervention, an infant may survive.

Lorelei's parents received great news a few weeks ago that Lorelei should be able to have the open heart surgery that she needs in June. However, right after that, they were dealt a blow. Some of Lorelei's meds are considered to be experimental and therefore insurance has decided not to cover them. In addition, there is a certain prescription for RSV that is typically not given to children past age 2. Because of Lorelei's condition, she has needed to continue on it beyond the recommended guidelines. But this too was also denied. They were sent a bill for nearly $40,000 to be paid within 14 days. Obviously they don't have that kind of money. They have tried to appeal and have contacted all of the resources that they know of at this point. So far, nothing seems to be panning out.

Lorelei is also on a special diet and has to have four bottles of Pediasure (or an equivalent) each day. This alone is $300/month. She also has to have several medications that used to be prescriptions but are now OTC, such as Zyrtec. Since they are over the counter, the cost is much more per month. Just the co-pays for her prescriptions are more than $200/month. When she goes for her surgery in June, there is a medication that she has to have in order to survive. The medication is given every four hours and is $7,000/dose. Insurance has informed them that this medication will not be covered; because of the type of surgery she is having, they could be facing a very long hospital stay. There is a Ronald McDonald house that is available but that is not without cost either, not to mention travel expenses, meals, etc.

Lorelei's parents would never come out and ask for any help, but our "group" wants to do whatever we can to help. I can't imagine the position her family has been put in where they are basically being told to choose massive financial burden or their daughter's life. Of course, they will choose Lorelei over everything else but it would be wonderful if all of their effort and emotions could be focused on her rather than worrying and stressing about the financial side of it all.

Any ideas of a fundraiser or something we could do to help would be great. Small things could make a difference - clipping coupons for Zyrtec (liquid form) and Pediasure, etc. Also if you know of any resources that can help with medical financial need that would be incredible as well. Some of you may know of something that we haven't yet run across.

Donations can be sent to via paypal to: stacey@marriedtothearmy.com. Please be sure that it is noted that it is for Lorelei.