Born three months premature, Jayna Ann Morrell was just 1 pound, 8 ounces at birth. The delivery came when doctors were forced to perform a cesarean section on May 3 after her mother became seriously ill.
Although she gained weight over the intervening time to 3 pounds, 6 ounces, the girl faced serious medical issues, such as infection and an enlarged liver, and suffered a severe set back on May 29 when she suffered a heart attack.
Doctors at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., fought for hours to stabilize her, some predicting she might not survive. She did, but not without possible brain damage due to the heart attack. She still has trouble breathing.
“So many people are trying to find an answer.” — Ann Morrell
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“The doctors and nurses are amazing,” she said. “Jayna has had so many teams of doctors looking at her. So many people are trying to find an answer.”
She was moved to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, renown for its pediatric expertise.
Ann Morrell, Jayna’s mother, temporarily relocated to a Ronald McDonald House near the Philadelphia hospital in order to be close to her daughter.
Morrell said she is especially grateful for the help and support she’s received since Jayna was born. Friends and family members have been pitching in to watch her other three children while the parents are at the hospital. Neighbors drop off meals at their 39th Street home. Morrell’s sister, Patti Rose, even donated blood for the baby’s blood transfusions.
“I just want to say thank you,” Morrell said. “It’s a really big deal. I cannot believe how much people have done.”
With three other children – Laura, Kaitlin and Allison – Ann and her husband Jason were not prepared for the early birth. While insurance covers medical bills, other expenses for caring for a sick child are pilling up, especially because Ann hasn’t been able to return to work since the birth.
The Jayna Ann Morrell Medical Fund has been set up to help raise money for these expenses.
A local group of Bayonne women calling themselves “The Sole Sisters” will be holding a garage sale on Saturday, July 3, at 14 W. 41st Street from 7 a.m. to noon.
“All the proceeds realized from this sale will go to the Jayna Ann Morrell Medical Fund to assist the Morrell family at this most difficult time,” said Lorraine Purzycki.
Additional donations can be sent to Jayna Ann Morrell Fund, 885 Broadway No.31, Bayonne, NJ 07002.