ONE OF OUR OWN NEEDS YOUR HELP. Jose Guerra (IT) was blessed with the birth of his second child Meilani
on July 11th. Meilani was born with a very severe congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). It is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. As the baby develops during pregnancy, the left side of the heart does not form correctly. She was transported by life light to Houston the day after she was born. She had open heart surgery at 7 days old, then another shortly thereafter. She also has a tracheotomy tube for breathing and a feeding tube. She has been in the hospital for almost 5 months due to many complications and will require another surgery in December. Although the City is meeting the medical needs of the family, there are many expenses the family needs assistance with- fuel for travel back and forth to Houston, parking at the hospital, meals while at the hospital, and many other expenses. Christmas is just a few weeks away.