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Benefit aims to raise $20,000 for baby with heart defect
By Phyllis Sides
RACINE - Looking at her smile and rosy cheeks, it's hard to imagine 6-month-old Juliana Mae Lyle needs open heart surgery.
But she does.
And on Saturday her parents, her family, their friends and the community came together at All Sports Pub on North Green Bay Road and Rapids Drive to raise money for Juliana's medical expenses.
She was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot - a congenital heart defect - the day after she was born, her mother Christine Lyle said. "She seemed to be perfectly healthy the first day but on the second day the doctor heard a murmur," Christine said.
When Juliana's grandma, Kim Wolfe, learned of the cost. Wolfe knew she had to help.
"I called my sister Dawn (Burbey) because she knows how to throw a party. I didn't want them to go broke trying to get her healthy," Wolfe said.
Initially, Saturday was to be a bikers' swap, Burbey said, "but the leather and tattoo lady said too bad we don't have a benefit. Then I said `my sister just called me,' and we decided to do it for Juliana Mae."
For people who have tetralogy of Fallot, the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen into the blood and the infant gets cyanosis, or bluing of the skin, mouth and eyelids. Children with tetrology of Fallot may experience "blue" spells. These spells may be brought on by crying, straining to have a bowel movement, or fever.
"We get really scared in the evening and we have to watch her real close because of cyanosis," said Juliana's dad, Thomas Lyle Jr.
In addition to Saturday's benefit, cash donations also can be made to an account in Juliana's name at Educators Credit Union, 3525 Rapids Drive, Racine, WI 53404. For more information, call (262) 632-8807.
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