The Story

The Love Story

Nick Mogg and Amanda Williams were married at midnight on October, 10, 2010 (10/10/10 for luck!).  Straight from the wedding they left to board a cruise ship for a week-long Caribbean Cruise honeymoon.  Mandy had to be forced out of her beautiful wedding gown to make her way to the airport.  She didn’t want the fun to end.  They had celebrated with family and friends at the Royal Sonesta hotel till dawn.  Everyone ate their alligator shaped wedding cake and danced to Nick’s totally inappropriate wedding playlist.

The Miracle to Be

Nick and Mandy talked about wanting to start a family soon, but never dreamed that they were starting one on their honeymoon.  However, when they learned of Mandy’s pregnancy, they were both jubilant and shared the good news with family members on Thanksgiving Day, who were also overjoyed about this new addition to the family.

Despite the usual discomfort, Mandy’s pregnancy progressed normally, until her physician sent her to a specialist in Baton Rouge because the baby was in an ‘unusual’ position.  That’s when the weight of the world came crashing down upon the young couple.

Nick and Mandy were told on February 16 that their unborn baby has a condition called HLHS (hypoplastic left heart syndrome), which is an extremely serious life threatening congenital disorder where the left side of the heart does not develop while the right side does. You can read more about HLHS by clicking here.

After explaining the condition and providing information on current treatment, the specialist suggested that they consider delivering the baby in Philadelphia and having the subsequent surgeries performed at Children’s Hospital there. After extensive consultation with specialists and surgeons, they have decided to have the baby in New Orleans, and immediately have the baby transferred to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans for the necessary surgeries and critical care required.

Devastated, the young couple suddenly found themselves living a nightmare.  The long and tedious search for information began and questions began to arise.  How are they going to provide the expensive surgeries and critical care the baby will require?  How will they pay living expenses through the long process?  How will they make ends meet if Nick cannot work during delivery, surgeries, and critical care?  And, most importantly, will their baby survive the recommended treatment, which involves no less than three surgeries before the age of 3?

What Can You Do?

While Nick and Mandy continue to grapple with the horrors of their reality, friends and family are coming together to help them every way they can.  Fundraising events are being discussed and planned in an effort to ease the financial pressure being placed upon the couple so that they can focus on Mandy’s health, which is paramount to the baby’s survival.

Here, at this website, you will be provided with information regarding upcoming events, where and how to make contributions, a means by which you may communicate with (or offer support to) the family, or just keep abreast of this struggle for survival.

All prayers are graciously appreciated.

Website kindly donated by I.T. By Design of Baton Rouge.