52 Lives

#135 Skylar

Request: Donations / Cards / Gifts / A Photographer

This week, 52 lives would like to help an 11 month old girl called Skylar and her parents, Tara and Stephen. 

Skylar is just about to turn 1. She was born prematurely and soon after birth she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Not long after that she was diagnosed with a very rare liver disease and has been in and out of hospital for much of her short life.

Skylar's liver condition is serious. When Skylar was first nominated for help, she had just weeks to live unless a suitable liver was found. As I began writing her story this week, Skylar received the wonderful news that a liver had been found. She has just had transplant surgery, and her parents are holding their breath to see what happens.

Tara has been living at Ronald McDonald House attached to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for the past few weeks. She hasn't been able to work since Skylar was born. Stephen works in a cafe, and travels back and forth to Birmingham when he is able to, but he needs to work and the costs are high.

Tara, Stephen and Skylar have all been through so much and they are exhausted. The news of Skylar’s liver came as a huge relief, but it is very early days and her parents have a long and anxious wait ahead of them.

With Skylar’s birthday coming up, we thought it was the perfect time to show this family some kindness and try to do something special for them.

What we need

1. Donations: Donations will be put towards helping Skylar’s dad and other family come to Birmingham for visits, and paying for some of the family’s living expenses, so they have less financial worries during this terrible time. To make a donation, please click the link below.

2. Register to become an organ donor: When I asked Skylar’s family what they needed, this was number 1 on their list. Tara sadly lost her uncle when she was younger, and the family donate his organs which saved someone’s life. And now, many years later, their daughter’s life has been saved by another kind organ donor. So if you haven’t already, please go online and register to donate your organs. If you live in the UK click here, if you live in the US click here,  if you live in Australia click here and for all other countries a quick Google search will help you find the right place. 

3. Birthday cards for Skylar: She is turning 1 in a couple of weeks and we'd love to send her a big box of birthday cards. Birthday cards can be sent to:
52 Lives (Life 135),
PO Box 329, Hampton, TW12 9DF.

4. Birthday presents for Skylar: We have set up an Amazon wishlist filled with some books for Skylar (she loves it when her parents read to her), a few toys and some Amazon gift cards so her parents can choose some things as well. To buy a gift from the list, please click the link below.

5. A photographer: To take some lovely photos of them altogether (this would need to be in the hospital in Birmingham, possibly in the hospital garden). If you can help, please complete the form below.

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What We Did

We raised more than £700 for Skylar, sent her beautiful birthday cards and gifts, and also had a photographer donate her services to help the family. Sadly, little Skylar passed away shortly after we were helping them. But your kindness has helped her family so much. As well as buying things the family needed, your donations helped to cover the cost of Skylar's funeral, easing the burden on her parents. 

We are sending them all our love at this very difficult time.