Support a Friend
I wanted to send a quick message inviting you to consider supporting friends of mine, Amanda and David, with financial support and prayers.
Amanda has been a dear friend for several years. She has accompanied me through some of the hardest stuff I’ve worked through. Her 13 year old daughter, Chiara, is currently in the hospital with an undiagnosed brain condition. Here are the details from the donation campaign:
We are creating this fundraiser for our dear friends, the Shaheens and their 13-year-old daughter, Chiara, who is currently hospitalized in El Paso, TX with an undiagnosed brain condition.
Who We Are Supporting
The Shaheens are a beautiful, faith-filled family that attend St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Goodyear, AZ. They are very active in parish ministries and Amanda (mom) is the Music Director of our parish, and many of you also know her as recording artist Amanda Vernon. Amanda and David have 4 amazing children that reflect the same love, joy and devotion to Jesus as their mom and dad. We are reaching out to our community of faith to support this family that has truly been an example for all of us.
The Medical Crisis
On December 29th, 2025, the family was traveling from Phoenix to Dallas when Chiara started experiencing severe neurological symptoms and altered mental status that required 3 ER visits before the doctors admitted her to the Children’s Hospital in El Paso, TX. Chiara was recently transported to another hospital in El Paso that focuses specifically on brain-related conditions. To date, they have not been able to give a definitive diagnosis for Chiara, nor is it safe to transport her back home.
While Chiara remains in El Paso, the other 3 children have returned home to Goodyear, AZ. Amanda and David are primarily in TX, but they do travel back and forth to spend time and care for the other children’s needs as well. This is a heart wrenching ordeal for any family and thankfully quite a few from our community have stepped up to help with meals, caring for the 3 children in AZ and getting them back and forth to school daily.
The Urgent Financial Need
However, the Shaheens are really in need of financial assistance. Withmedical bills currently over $117,000and rising (the family was devastated to learn that theirhealthshare ministry has denied coveragefor the hospital stay, leaving them to pay this catastrophic bill out of pocket) and transportation back and forth between Goodyear and El Paso, the financial strain is just as stressful as the emotional strain they are under.
Please consider supporting them here:
https://www.givesendgo.com/supportchiara
I am so sorry to hear this and will for sure chip in. This hits close to home. Though I don't know Amanda personally, as a teen my family attended the same Grand Rapids church as her parents for years. I remember how musically gifted they are! I also have loved ones who have had terrible experiences with Christian health share groups not reimbursing their medical bills. It is terrible the state of health care and the devastation it can wreak on families' finances during the most vulnerable times. I will be praying for Chiara and her family.