Help Baby Aaveah and family during this critical time.

Aaveah McGee is our beautiful baby girl, born prematurely at just 33 weeks on May 17, 2026. From the moment she arrived, she has been a fighter, and she means the world to her dad and me. After giving birth six weeks early, doctors quickly realized Aaveah was struggling to breathe on her own. We spent a month and a half at Carle Foundation Hospital’s NICU, watching over her as she learned to be strong. For three weeks, she was on oxygen, and her levels dropped dangerously low. There were nights when she stopped breathing altogether, and we prayed constantly for her recovery. After nine and a half weeks, we were finally able to bring her home, but the nearest NICU is over an hour away, making every emergency even more frightening.

During this time, dad missed three days of work to be by Aaveah’s side, and his company let him go due to their strict attendance policy. Just as we brought Aaveah home, dad had to search for a new job, and one night, Aaveah stopped breathing again. Thankfully, EMTs and first responders arrived quickly and saved her life. Dad has since found a new job in Greenup, Illinois, but our only means of transportation started overheating, putting our family in a difficult position. A week before, we narrowly avoided a serious accident that could have been devastating. The damages to our car are over $2,300, and we used our rent money to tow and diagnose the vehicle. Right now, these funds will help us repair our car so dad can keep his new job, pay our rent, and ensure we can safely take Aaveah to her medical appointments. Without reliable transportation, emergencies would leave us dependent on first responders, and dad’s job is 25 minutes away. We are members of Crossroads Church and keep our faith strong, knowing God will guide us through these hard times. We are asking for help from friends, family, and compassionate neighbors. No amount is too small, and we are grateful for any support. Thank you for your kindness and consideration during our hardest time. Sincerely, Aaveah’s mother and father, Joey and Kaila.