CAMBRIDGE – A GoFundMe page created for a young woman battling heart failure for the second time in 17 years has reached nearly $5,000 in just four days.
Hailey Kane is currently a patient at the QEII hospital in Halifax, where she underwent an open bypass surgery July 3 after a viral attack on her heart.
With doctors still trying to determine what caused the attack, her parents Susanne and Aaron Kane say it’s “still a waiting game” as she recovers from surgery in the hospital’s coronary care unit.
They say the only thing keeping them going is the continued support they’ve been receiving from family, friends and even some they’ve never met.
“So many people care for our daughter, and we couldn’t do this without all their prayers and support,” said Susanne Kane.
Hailey first became sick over 10 years ago when she suffered from congestive heart failure. She was treated and recovered, but a little bit of heart damage stayed with her.
And yet Hailey appeared happy and healthy until this viral attack happened out of nowhere, according to Susanne Kane – “she went from bad to worse in two days,” she said of her daughter – and now the family waits as doctors search for the virus’ cause.
They will also wait and see whether Hailey’s heart will recover, or if she’ll be placed on the transplant list.
The crowdfunding campaign was launched after costs have already started adding up for the family of four, whose second daughter, Annika, is staying with grandparents.
Susanne and Aaron have been spending money on food, transportation and lodging, and are anticipating a significant loss of income as they continue facing such expenses and taking time off work to be with Hailey as she remains in hospital.
“We’re trying to get to the bottom of what caused this, because we don’t want it to happen a third time,” said Susanne.
“It’s an awful thing for parents to go through once, never mind twice.”
The couple have been relishing small victories since the procedure. As Hailey remains in a medically-induced coma to recover, doctors wake her up occasionally – like they did on July 8 – for what they call a ‘sedation vacation’ to check her progress.
“They woke her up partly today and asked her questions. She wiggled her toes, nodded yes and no – it’s a good sign that there’s no brain damage,” said Susanne.
And in the meantime, she and Aaron continue receiving love from so many people, including many staying tuned on Facebook as the parents give updates on their daughter’s progress.
“People are praying and lifting us up. We can feel that, and I find it just amazing – the generosity of people. It’s nice to know they care, and it touches us,” said Susanne.
To support the Kane family, visit their GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/help-for-hailey-kane
