Friend
My name is Lauren Clevinger. I am currently 30 weeks pregnant with a (thank God in heaven) healthy baby boy. I have been surrounded throughout my pregnancy with quite a few friends who are/were pregnant themselves. Most of their pregnancies are going/went well with no major complications, however I've had two friends suffer miscarriages and another have a baby born with a congenital heart defect. Being pregnant myself and trying to imagine how I would even begin to deal with these situations makes me extremely sympathetic and willing to help in any way possible.
Justin and Shannon Carter are the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy named Derrick. To look at him in pictures, you would never know his heart is suffering. His eyes sparkle, he grins and coos, and he's the epitomy of every miracle created by God. Unfortunately, baby Derrick was born with only three chambers in his heart. He's had a rough road already, including an open heart surgery at a mere eight days old, but he's truly a fighter. He will have to face two more surgeries by the time he's five years old and his future is uncertain after age twenty because of lack of funding for the proper research.
I have said countless prayers for this family and all the families of heart babies around the world since first hearing about Derrick's condition. I have learned that there is a 1 in 100 chance that my baby could have just as easily been in Derrick's situation. Justin and Shannon are two of the strongest people I know and never once thought twice about welcoming their precious baby into the world, despite any hardship they would have to face along the way. I know if I were in their shoes I would be doing the same things they are: showering my baby boy with all the love in my heart, praying every day for his survival, and joining a group of people trying to raise and spread awareness of congenital heart defects. All of the parents, families, and friends of these babies need your help to raise money for research. So I am asking you to do what you can to help with this cause. Here's to heart babies surviving and growing up to lead normal, happy, healthy lives. With your help the future can be bright and no longer a question mark.
Lauren Clevinger