Community steps up to help baby Freddy
(CNS): Less than a month old, Freddy Mahoney, born three months prematurely, is fighting for life in a Miami hospital after surviving a rare disease in the womb which took the life of his identical twin and caused him to lose his leg. Freddy was born on 14 July along with his brother Jake, having only reached 24 weeks and 6 days gestational age. They had been suffering from Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, and unfortunately a few hours later Jake passed away. With medical expenses having the potential to run up to $800,000 and only a part it covered by insurance, some neighbours of Freddy’s parents have decided to help by raising funds, starting with a garage sale on 13 August.
Twinto twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) affects identical twins who share a common monochorionic placenta in the womb. The common placenta may be shared unequally by the twins, and one may not get the necessary nutrients to grow normally or even survive.
“Freddy is a little fighter,” said Alan Brady, who, along with his wife, Emma Gladstone, are stepping in to assist their friends. “We'd like to show our support as a community and do what little we can to help our neighbours, Freddy's parents, Andrew and Amanda.”
All members of the public are being encouraged to support the sale, which will be held at Southhampton Gardens, located across the bypass from The Strand, from 8am – 11am, and all proceeds will to be donated to Freddy Mahoney. People can also donate funds to Andrew Mahoney at his Bank of Butterfield CI savings account; number 1361130510026.
Brady and Gladstone have planned a bingo night and silent auction to raise money for the cause as well, provisionally set for 31 August at Tiki Beach.
Alan Brady can be contacted on 323 5281 or alan.brady2@gmail.com regarding the donation of prizes and funds for both fundraisers.
16-year-old Joshua Dilbert is a CNS summer intern.
Category: Local News
I hope the insurance company steps up to the plate as everyone in Cayman should have medical insurance. I am really sad for this family and I hope that people with donate as much as they can to this cause and that the friends of other charities will help as well.
For all you US trashers, please note that the US hospital and doctors have provided $800,000 in care with no apparent hope of getting paid.
And you know this how? You don't think they will chase? Please provide some back up for your statement?
Nation Building funds would work well in this case.A life is way to precious to lose at that tender age.My best wishes to the family during this crisis.
The barbarism of non-socialised medicine at its worst.
i am etremely sorry for this young child; but please leave the churches out of this, cause I have seen many times Caymanians in need of medical help and many of us in this community have shown preference in donating to animals than human beings. Yes animals are more important to some of you, and these are the same person now talking about what the premier gave to the churches.
Why leave the churches out of it? THey are the ones who received over $2 million dollars in donation for Government. Donations to churches should be from the people who attend, not the government.
I am disgusted by the fact, that in this "christian" country, people are forced to ask for financial help for such a horrible thing to happen.
Priorities of your premier are clearly elsewhere. Curches and the wealthy.
Money should never be an issue for these circumstances.
Maybe Joshua should ask the premier and the minister of health for there take on these poor people. THAT is your job as a journalist, find the dirt in society and make it good.
Joshua – thumbs up for some good reporting on a feel good story….
Now, for your next feel good story for the nation could you report on the (small 'p') premiere, is stepping down – think we would all feel good then!!!
But seriously, stick with it – journalism is a great place – been there and loved it. Stories like these make it worthwhile – especially the follow-ups where the true results are seen.
I will be there for support and hope EVERYONE who reads this steps up to the plate…
My husband dropped our stuff off this morning. Please keep us all informed on what we can do to help and on the baby's progress.
Please note that we are not the only ones in Southampton Gardens helping our neighbours and coordinating the Garage Sale. Also involved are Cara Hennessey and Justin Colgan, who are also organizing the bingo night, as well as Connie Buchanan and Anne Storie.
We'd also like to thank the large number of people who have donated both items for the sale and money and encourage everyone to come along on Saturday morning.
How about some of those churches who received "funds" hellp these people, that would be the CHRISTIAN thing to do…don't you think???