Acerno Family Fundraiser

The HSI Newark Employee Association, as part of its emergency assistance and grant program, has created this fundraiser to support the Acerno family in their time of need.  Deb and Tom Acerno are employees of the HSI Newark and HSI Philadelphia Field Offices.  Baby Adeline was born on July 21, 2015 and from this day has been fighting a full on war against Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). 

CDH babies require very skilled intensive care to stay alive.  Baby Adeline's first months have been very fragile.  Her first surgery was on August 12, 2015 to guide her organs down to their proper place.  Additional surgeries will be needed as Baby Adeline grows.  In October 2015 Deb and Tom learned insurance would not cover a home nurse, in which Adeline requires 24/7 care.  As a result, Baby Adeline remains at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for an undetermined amount of time. 

More recently Deb and Tom learned Baby Adeline has an extremely rare genetic syndrome called Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS).  There have only been 150 documented cases worldwide of CSS.  Doctors believe CSS caused Adeline's CDH, cleft palate, nystagmus and hypotonia.  Not much is known about CSS but all those diagnosed with the syndrome have exhibited some form of developmental and even intellectual delays. 

Armed with this information Deb and Tom have increased the amount of therapy Baby Adeline receives at CHOP.  The medical team is confident the early intervention has helped her tremendously and are very optimistic about her future.

Please support this fundraising effort to help one of our own.  As an approved 501(c)(3) your financial support will not only help Baby Adeline but also be eligible as a tax deductible donation.  Thank you for your consideration.