Couple With North Fork Roots Needs Help For Baby's Heart Defect

NORTH FORK, NY — A former North Fork couple needs help in their darkest hours. Ashley and Dan Blados, both born in Southold Town, have moved to Virginia but have relatives close to home.

They've created a GoFundMe page, "Help Support Arabella's Open Heart Surgery," to help their baby girl, who was born on July 16 with a heart defect.

"At our 23 week ultrasound those were the words we heard. We were informed that our baby girl had a complex congenital heart defect. They diagnosed her with double outlet right ventricle, transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect and a pulmonary stenosis. We were told that after birth, she would need multiple surgeries to repair the issues and to live," her parents said.

At just 6 weeks old, Arabella had an emergency open heart surgery; the surgery was a success; however, due to some setbacks she stayed in the pediatric intensive care unit at UVA for longer than expected, her parents said.

"Now that we are home, we must monitor her oxygen levels, heart rate, and administer oral medications daily. From her extended stay in the PICU, Arabella developed blood clots; because of that we must give her blood thinner injections into her thighs twice a day. We also attend cardiology appointments twice a week and intermittent pediatrician visits," they said. "Arabella will need an additional surgery in the spring and possibly a third later on. Not only do we need to care for our medically fragile child but recently we’ve had to deal with an unexpected change in my employment status. "

After 7 years of teaching children with autism and students with challenging behaviors Ashley was forced to resign. "Our family is heartbroken and distraught. I have to care for my medically fragile child — I have no other option — as a mother and as her advocate. But because of that I no longer have a job or paycheck," Ashley said.

Arabella’s insurance does not cover all the expenses, her parents said. "We are currently trying to pay for these astronomically expensive medical bills, our utility bills and our mortgage with one income, my husband is a Virginia Beach police officer. We have never asked for financial assistance — we would rather give then receive — but we are in need of help. We need your help."

To donate, click here.