When Ryan and his partner first learned that their unborn daughter, Ember, had a rare condition affecting her bones and growth, they never imagined just how challenging the journey ahead would become.

During pregnancy, doctors identified skeletal dysplasia, which was later diagnosed as Cartilage-Hair Hypoplasia – Anauxetic Spectrum Disorder. Until just three weeks ago, the family had been told that her condition was considered fatal, leaving them facing an uncertain future.

Ember arrived on June 18, bringing both joy and new worries to her family. Shortly after birth, she was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because of breathing difficulties. Thankfully, she began doing well.

But just days later, another unexpected discovery changed everything.

Her newborn screening returned positive for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), an extremely rare condition affecting the body’s ability to fight infections. According to her family, approximately 72 cases are identified each year in the United States.

Ember is missing her T cells, an essential part of the immune system that helps protect the body against infections. Even common viruses, such as those responsible for an ordinary cold, can pose serious risks to her.

Without treatment, SCID can be life-threatening during infancy. A bone marrow transplant offers Ember an opportunity to develop a functioning immune system and a chance at a healthier future.

Following the diagnosis, little Ember was transferred to the Warren Buffett Cancer Center, where she was placed in a specialized isolation room to protect her from potential infections.

For now, this is where she must remain until she is ready for transplantation and her immune system has had time to begin recovering.

Her transplant is not expected to take place for at least another three months, and it could take even longer. In the meantime, Ember is receiving a carefully planned combination of medications to prepare her tiny body for the treatment ahead.

While most families spend these early days enjoying the excitement of bringing a newborn home, Ryan and his partner are learning to navigate hospital stays, medical decisions and an uncertain road ahead.

The emotional and financial challenges have also become overwhelming. With anticipated medical expenses, lost income and everyday household costs, the family has found themselves in need of support.

Ryan and his partner say they are not usually people who ask others for help, but this journey has brought challenges beyond what they could have imagined.

Any contribution, no matter how small, would help ease the family’s financial burden. Even a prayer or a kind message would mean so much as they stand beside their little girl.