Help Baby Cecilia Fight for Her Life – Emergency Medical Fund
Hi everyone,
We’re Brianna Castiglioni and Tsaggaris Olsen, and we’re writing this on behalf of our best friend, Zoe Howes—who is living every mother’s worst nightmare right now.
Zoe’s 8-month-old daughter, Cecilia, is currently fighting for her life in the Pediatric ICU. Just days ago, Cecilia was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. She was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and aggressive flesh-eating bacterial infection. She went into septic shock, experienced respiratory failure, and had to be placed on a ventilator and sedated. If that wasn’t enough, doctors also discovered MRSA pneumonia, a serious and resistant lung infection, which has progressed to ARDS. Doctors are now investigating a possible underlying immunodeficiency disorder that may have left her vulnerable to such a devastating illness.
Cecilia has already endured three major surgeries to remove infected muscle and tissue and is now facing daily operations until all the necrotic tissue is gone—or until they simply cannot remove any more. If she survives this, she will need extensive reconstructive surgeries, months of rehabilitation, home care, and an incredibly long recovery process.
To make matters even more difficult, Cecilia had to be transported to the closest hospital that could handle her urgent condition—a facility not covered by Zoe’s insurance. But there was no choice. Without immediate intervention, Cecilia would not have survived the trip to a covered hospital.
Zoe has had to step away from her job as a registered nurse to be by her daughter’s side full-time. She’s also juggling care for her older daughter, Ellie (2.5 years old), who is missing her mom and baby sister terribly and doesn’t fully understand what’s happening. The financial stress is unimaginable—missed income, child care for Ellie, travel, living expenses, and mounting medical bills from an out-of-network hospital.
Zoe is the strongest, most selfless mother and friend we know—but she shouldn’t have to carry this burden alone.
We are asking for your help to ease the financial strain so Zoe can focus on what matters most—fighting for Cecilia’s life and caring for Ellie through this heartbreaking time.
Please help if you can. Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping Zoe keep her home stable, care for Ellie, and cover the crushing medical expenses as her baby fights to survive.
Thank you so much for supporting our beautiful friend and her girls. We believe in Cecilia’s strength, and we’re praying every day for her healing.
With all our love,
Brianna Castiglioni & Tsaggaris Olsen
