Benefit planned for family who lost baby
BURNET — Friends and family are showing their support with a fundraiser March 20 for a Burnet family who lost their 4-day-old daughter to a rare genetic disorder.
The benefit is planned for Cristi and Jonny Simons, whose daughter Makynli died of Trisomy 18 at a Temple hospital in January.
The event is 6 p.m. at the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson St.
“Cristi had to have an emergency C-section, and the baby was stillborn,” family friend Melanie Gomez said. “They got the baby breathing, then they flew her to Temple.”
Gomez said Jonny Simons stayed with his daughter in Temple while Cristi Simons recovered from her surgery. She was reunited with her daughter Jan. 21, one day before the infant died.
Trisomy 18, or Edwards Syndrome, is a disorder resulting from the presence of an extra 18th chromosome, which causes defects in the heart, lungs and other organs. The condition occurs in one in 6,000 live births, and has a low survival rate.
Gomez said the parents are still grieving over the loss of Makynli, their first child.
“They’re doing reasonably well,” she said. “There’s been a tremendous outpouring of community support.”
The family still needs help covering medical and funeral expenses, Gomez added.
“They’re not rich or anything like that,” she said. “They had health insurance, but they still have medical bills left over.”
Cristi Simons is the owner of Trendz Salon in Burnet. Jonny Simons is an employee in Burnet’s street department.
Gomez said the fundraiser will include live music and barbecue.
“We’ll have the Hired Guns band playing music with barbecue plates and a silent auction,” she said.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $15 each with plates at $8. For information, call (512) 755-6811.