Two Parents "Fed-Exed" their child 500 miles to save her life when no other flights were available
By Mike-Ross
It was a matter of life and death that led Nick and Jesse Faris to shipping their adopted daughter across country via Federal Express. 2-year-old Brooklyn suffered from Alagille syndrome, a genetic disorder that prevents her liver from functioning properly. Without a new liver, little Brooklyn’s life expectancy was very slim. The Faris family had been praying every day until little Brooklyn reached the top spot on the liver transplant list.
Finally their prayers were answered, but the available liver was 500 miles away at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Time was of the essence, and the family from Memphis didn’t know when or even if another liver would become available.
They rushed to the airport, but a massive winter storm had closed many roads and grounded countless planes. There were no open flights and the Faris family was out of time. “We considered driving or taking a train, but we were worried we wouldn’t get there on time,” the parents told Us Weekly. “It would have been $10,000 to charter a plane, and we couldn’t handle that financially.”
Grasping at straws, the desperate parents reached out to a family friend, John Carro, who contacted St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for help. The hospital came up with a plan straight out of a dramatic movie. A representative at the hospital called Fed-Ex and told them a 2-year-old child’s life was on the line. Without missing a beat, Fed-Ex contacted the Faris family and told them to be ready to fly in half an hour.
“They called and said if we could get to the airport in 30 minutes, they could fly us free on one of their corporate jets,” Jesse said. “We rushed over and met two extremely nice pilots. They showed genuine concern for our comfort and for Brooklyn.”
The Faris family arrived at the hospital in Chicago before 9:00 PM that same day.
(image source; Facebook/Nick Faris)
They had time to spare, and the transplant surgery was a sucess. 11-days later Brooklyn was healthy enough to be sent home! She and her family stayed in Chicago for another month so doctors could monitor her new liver.
“Brooklyn is getting stronger every day,” Jesse said. “We are still wrapping our minds around what the future holds—with this gift of new life given to her, there are so many possibilities that lie ahead for Brooklyn!”
(image source; Children’s Organ Transplant Association for Brooklyn Faris)
When she was strong enough for the long trip back to Memphis, Fed-Ex arranged a return flight for the Faris family.
“I feel like in addition to just feeling like the hand of God was with us in this situation, we also felt a tremendous amount of support from our community,” Jesse said. “The way the story has resonated with people and inspired people – we’ve just been really overwhelmed with the way people have cared about Brooklyn and about our family.”
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Featured image and facebook image credited to Facebook/Nick Faris
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