EMBRACING ELIANA

I LOVE YOU TO THE BEACH AND BACK

https://www.wtnh.com/news/4-year-old-brought-to-lighthouse-point-park-as-her-final-wish/?fbclid=IwAR2YIAZknvWtKJvZACmSaHUpVUz2CWxI-zpO4G9mV5HfVUIrcT6qqONxQbY

Eliana Palacio was born on June 17, 2018. Just shy of her 4th birthday, after years and years of questions with no answers, this exceptional little girl was finally diagnosed with Mitochondrial Depletion Syndrome while in PICU in early 2022. What does this mean for Eliana? It means she does not have sufficient mitochondria, which are her cell’s energy generators, to maintain the simple functions of everyday living. She has to work twice as hard to get through the normal daily activities of life, breathing, walking, talking—and she is at twice the risk of infection. Which brings us to today – Eliana was living her best life when she contracted COVID at the beginning of 2022 and her life will never be the same. After fighting for her life for over half of a year, Eliana now has a permanent tracheostomy and ventilator, relies on a g-tube for eating and, unfortunately, she recently had a massive setback, leaving her future unknown. Eliana continues to fight for her life with admirable determination.

“Although she be but little, she is fierce.”

The last seven months 4-year-old Eliana has spent more time in and out of the PICU, hospitals, and rehabs, than she has in her own home. She has missed the simple comforts that we tend to all take for granted. After massive feats, terrifying setbacks, and irreplicable determination, Eliana has shown us all that “although she be but little, she is fierce.” Eliana’s parents, Christine Dole and Rich Palacio, surrounded by the support of Eliana’s entourage, have made difficult decisions, decisions no parents should ever have to make, to give her the best life possible – but it has not been easy on her or her family. Her mother, Christine, has not left her side, permanently residing in the hospitals and rehabs with her fierce little girl, making her daughter her only priority. Grandmother Karen Dole has made sure this was all possible. 

Please consider making a donation to help with the financial burdens Eliana's family now faces while Eliana continues to fight for her life. We also ask that you please join us and gift Eliana an #EbytheSea so we can continue to show her how loved she is, both near and far. Please post your "E" on Facebook and Instagram (tag @EmbracingEliana), with #EbytheSea, and tell us what beach you are sending her love and support from.