Imagine watching your child struggle for every breath. The fear. The helplessness. The desparate prayers for relief. That was our reality when our baby, Alice, fell gravely ill.
It all started when our 4-year-old, Jacob, came home from daycare with what we thought was just a cold. Soon, our whole family was sick. But what seemed like a typical illness quickly became something far more dangerous. Our youngest, Alice, only three months old, began to deteriorate rapidly. Her tiny lungs just couldn’t keep up.
After multiple doctor visits, we got the diagnosis. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). You may have heard of it in the news. It’s a highly contagious virus that can be mild for adults but devastating for infants.
Globally, it’s the primary cause of death during the first year of a child’s life, after Malaria. 200,000 babies died worldwide last year and in Alberta there were over 5,000 cases.
Alice’s condition worsened. Her cough was relentless. She struggled to breathe. We rushed her to the Children’s Hospital, where she was put on oxygen. I will never forget the fear of possibly losing her.
We quarantined at home, overwhelmed and exhausted. My husband and I used up all our sick leave, and medical bills started piling up. Even putting food on the table became a challenge. That’s when Alberta Lung and compassionate donors like you stepped in.
Thanks to the Patient Support Fund, we received emergency assistance to pay for life-saving medication, groceries, and essential supplies. That support made all the difference.
After six agonizing weeks, Alice turned a corner. Jacob regained his strength. And finally, we could breathe again literally and figuratively. Today, we are back at work, and life has returned to normal. But I know we’re not alone in this fight. Other families right here in Alberta will face the same nightmare whether it’s RSV, cystic fibrosis, or lung cancer.
That’s why I’m reaching out to you today.
Your support of Alberta Lung’s monthly giving program is much needed. Your ongoing generosity ensures that families like ours receive immediate assistance when they have nowhere else to turn. Even a small monthly gift can make an incredible impact.
Your compassion saves lives. Your support helped my family get through our darkest days. Please, continue to be the lifeline for others facing lung disease.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jessica
Alice’s Mom