Local Couple Organizing Fundraiser For Neonatal Condition

Every mom and dad, every doting grandparent, every person who has ever loved a child grieves with a parent who has lost a son or daughter. We can too readily imagine the heartbreak, and we instinctively want to help in whatever way we can.

Parents who have suffered such a loss know keenly how much help is needed. graduate Bridget O’Brien and her husband Shane Martin have lost two infants to a disease known as neonatal hemochromatosis, or NH.

They have recently established the NH Angel Fund in memory of Grace and Christopher. The non-profit organization’s mission is to increase awareness and fund research to find a cure for NH.

Though not uncommon, NH is often misdiagnosed, in part because there is no pre-
screen available due to its non-genetic origin. NH occurs when the mother’s system forms an antibody to her baby’s liver while the baby is in utero.

Pregnancies involving NH usually end in late-term miscarriage or still birth. Even those few babies that are born alive quickly succumb to NH because of misdiagnosis and resulting mismanagement of their care, becoming yet another NH Angel. Once a woman has a baby affected by NH, the likelihood of her having subsequent pregnancies involving NH increases 80 percent.

There is an overwhelming need for increased awareness of NH and funding for related research. We are fortunate to have the leading authority on NH here in Chicago--Dr. Peter Whitington, of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital (formerly known as Children’s Memorial).

Through his tireless efforts, Dr. Whitington has discovered a viable treatment option for women during pregnancy that can limit their babies’ exposure to the NH antibody and oftentimes prevent babies from being affected by NH altogether. In addition to his research, Dr. Whitington works to spread awareness and educate other medical professionals.

To assist Dr. Whitington in his research and awareness efforts, the NH Angel Fund
is holding its first annual NH Angel Ball fundraiser. The NH Angel Ball will be held
on September 21st from 6:30pm to midnight at Gaelic Park, 6119 W 147th St. in Oak Forest.

The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, a four-course dinner, raffle, and
dancing. All proceeds will be donated to Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Tickets are $100 per person; $1000 for a table of ten. Tickets may be purchased online at www.nhangelfund.org.

For information, please contact the NH Angel Fund at 773-909-3568 or via email at nhangelfund@live.com. Please consider supporting NH Angel Fund
and help keep these little angels in the arms of their families.

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