A Virginia couple is desperately seeking a double lung transplant for their 2-month-old daughter, Kylie, who has been diagnosed with a rare disease called surfactant protein B deficiency. Doctors have warned the parents that without a transplant, Kylie will face deadly respiratory failure within the next few months. Unfortunately, the procedure cannot be performed in Virginia, and the family needs to travel to Houston, Texas, to receive treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital. While the hospital boasts a 96 percent success rate, there are no guarantees. The couple must quit their jobs, leave their 9-year-old daughter with grandparents, and relocate to Houston with their 1-year-old son to be considered for the transplant. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs associated with this life-saving journey.
Kylie’s mother, Ashley Overfield, is praying for a miracle but recognizes the difficult situation that another family must face for Kylie to receive a new set of lungs. If Kylie’s condition worsens, she may lose her spot on the transplant waiting list. Throughout the process, both parents must remain by her bedside to increase her chances of receiving the life-saving transplant. The road to a new set of lungs is long, as it involves evaluations, psychological assessments, and approval by the medical board before Kylie can be officially placed on the transplant list.
The family remains hopeful that their daughter will receive the transplant and be free from being hooked up to machines. They have turned to social media, creating a Facebook group titled “Kylie’s Lung Transplant Journey,” to share updates on their daughter’s progress. Additionally, a GoFundMe page has been established to assist them during this challenging period.
