The Felix Family, uniting for the cure!

The Felix Family of Arizona has joined Unite For The Cure to collectively help raise $100,000 for Dr. Keirstead’s groundbreaking SMA stem cell program. Welcome aboard Felix Family!

Why are the Felix’ uniting for the cure?

Mike, Jaci, Amber (15), Jacob (3), and Alexa (22-months-old with SMA Type I) — Alexa came into this world on November 16th, 2007. A beautiful perfect baby girl. But from day one, Alexa has been fighting for her life. Not even 24-hours-old, she was taken to the NICU with severe jaundice and anemia. Doctors told Mike and Jaci Felix three days later that her organs were shutting down. No matter what they did, her bilirubin would not come down, and her anemia kept getting worse. They gave permission for her to have a total body blood exchange, a very risky procedure. The procedure was scheduled for the morning and they just prayed. The thought of losing their daughter was overwhelming. The prayers must have worked because one last blood check showed that her numbers were finally getting better. After several blood transfusions and lots of medicine, Alexa was finally ready to go home. The Felix’ thanked God for being so blessed.

Then just shy of turning 6-months-old, the Felix’ were told their daughter had SMA Type I, and the NICU stay at the beginning of her life was nothing compared to the fight she was facing now. They almost lost her once, and they are determined not to let that happen again! Since Alexa’s diagnosis, she has been hospitalized numerous times. The Felix’ feel so strongly that this stem cell program could one day help her, and so many others. Their daughter has had many obstacles in her life and she keeps overcoming them. She keeps showing them what a fighter she is, that she wants to be here.  The Felix Family is going to fight right along side her. That is why it is so important to them to raise money for this wonderful cause.