Briley's Angels

1/23/2013 (Updated 1/24/2013 2:36:27 AM)

It was a devastating end to 2012 for one area family.

"She actually died in my arms, I was holding her," says Tinamarie Gunther, Briley's aunt.

On November 6th 2012, the Kelsey family welcomed baby Briley Marie.  Briley was born with multiple health complications including a cleft palate and spina bifida--a birth defect that occurs when the spine of a fetus doesn't close properly during pregnancy.

Seven weeks later on December 28, she died from hydracephalus- a condition where fluid builds up around the brain.

"Hydracephalus is so painful.  The water on the brain, they told us, was extremely painful for her and in the end when there was just too much water against her brain, they had to put her on morphine," says Gunther. 

After finding no support groups in the area, the family has decided to start "Briley's Angels," an organization aimed at saving lives and providing families with support.

"My hope for the organization is to be able to give family support.  Our area, there's a lot of children with the same condition Briley has and there's no support services systems here.  So counceling-the death of a baby- we're here to support you. Support groups," says Amy Kelsey, Briley's grandmother.

They also help to off-set the medical costs of other families in need.

"If we had had more money, she would of been able to have a shunt and probably be alive.  There were a lot of tests that weren't paid for by insurance that the family just couldn't get and my hope is that with out help, people will be able to get help and hopefully another baby won't pass away," says Gunther.

The first fundraiser will take place this Saturday, a $10 pasta lunch at the Southern Tier Independence Center in Binghamton.  It will take place from 11 until 5.

Money raised will go towards Briley's funeral costs and helping another family in need.

Ali Warner Fox 40 HD News.



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