darci’s Story

Spartans, whether from ancient Greece or in this case East Lansing, Michigan have always been known as fighters. As scrappers. Tough as nails. Baby Darci is certainly cut from that same cloth and it’s a chip she wears on her shoulder proudly. Upon diagnosis with CDH, Tiffany (Darci’s mother) was encouraged numerous times to abandon her pregnancy, to abandon being a mother. Instead, after some frantic research and soul-searching, the family decided to pack up their lives and move to Tampa in order to receive care from Dr. David Kays and his team at Johns Hopkins’ All Children’s Hospital. To give their unborn baby every fighting chance at life.

Baby Darci was born a few weeks later on July 11, 2016. Wasting no time in flexing her muscles, she began what has now been the first 74 days of a lifelong fight. In the days following her birth Darci underwent surgery to repair the hernia in her diaphragm, and then spent 13 days on ECMO followed by an additional 26 days intubated in the NICU gathering her strength. In the weeks since she’s learned to smile, giggle, enjoy a rock in her swing, and her brain MRI and echocardiogram came back completely normal.

Florida is where Darci’s life journey began and it, along with the amazing people who helped bring her into this world, will forever be a part of who she is. But Darci and her family want home. They want Michigan. They want Darci to meet her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. To meet all the people who have supported and endlessly prayed for her since she was first diagnosed with CDH. To get puppy kisses from their dogs. To watch a Michigan State football game on the couch. For Darci to see her nursery for the first time.

Darci and her mother Tiffany have been awarded a “Fore Hadley Angels in the NICU” grant to assist with the cost of getting Darci back to Michigan. Back home. The entire Fore Hadley Foundation continues to keep them in our thoughts and prayers, and we’re excited to watch Darci grow up surrounded by those that love her most. 

About the Fore Hadley Angels in the NICU Fund

Support and proceeds for the Fore Hadley Angels in the NICU Fund will go towards assisting current and future families like Darci’s, by providing financial contributions to assist families with the costs associated with extended, long distance travel and living arrangements. Costs that are often a must to ensure the proper specialty care for CDH babies.

HELP US HELP THEM

Every item purchased makes a real difference. Proceeds from the sale of Fore Hadley apparel go to supporting children like Darci.