Young American Family Struggles to Keep Their Four-Year-Old Daughter Alive

Four year old Samantha looks like a regular child: full of life and energy and joy. Behind the scenes she's fighting for her life. After defeating a rare heart defect, her body developed a very aggressive and severe second heart condition and her family can't keep up with the expenses on their own. End Quote

Baltimore, MD (1888PressRelease) September 29, 2014 - Shannon and Frank knew their daughter was a fighter and they could not be more proud. But they never expected that a rare heart defect wouldn't be the only health problem she'd struggle with.

Sami is the quintessential happy child. She's got an infectious grin and an enthusiasm in everything she does. You wouldn't guess to look at her how very strong she's proven herself to be. At four years old, she's already gone through three open heart surgeries (including one three days after she was born) and exceeded recovery expectations every time. Some children never make it out of the hospital with her condition, but she has thrived and become a very healthy looking little girl.

Tiny for her age, Sami looks delicate but she's been fighting life threatening illness all her young life.

Before she was born her parents knew that she would need to have three corrective surgeries and then after that things should have been normal for Samantha. Just when all the surgeries were finished and things were looking settled, Sami developed a complication that undid a lot of her hard won health.

Her veins began to close down.

Four year old Sami is the only recorded case ever of someone with her heart condition who also has Pulmonary Vein Stenosis.

Her parents, determined to save her life, got her enrolled in experimental treatments at Children's Hospital in Boston. The medications worked and Sami's health stabilized.

But now with the trial ending, their health insurance won't pay for the medicine that is keeping little Sami alive. Her hardworking parents will be trying to pay out of pocket for drugs that will cost them $75,000 a year until Sami's body can conquer the PVS.

The drug company is providing one year free because they were so moved by Samantha's story. But it's likely she'll need the drug for five years. Not to mention her family has a lot of other expenses to deal with. Shannon had to leave her job because Sami needed 24 hour care and for long periods Sami's immune system is so compromised that she can't be exposed to other people.

This is the kind of struggle that no one should have to go through. It's people like Shannon and Frank who are true American heroes, working diligently for their child's life.

We ask that people spread the word, share the fundraising YouCaring page, tell Samantha's story. She's a normal, happy little girl struggling for her life and she needs all the help we can give her.

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