Credit: Kontz family
When Lincoln Kontz came into the world on January 22, he came a little earlier than expected.
In week 33 of the pregnancy, the baby boy breached and went into distress. His mom, Nicole Kontz, needed an emergency cesarean section. When he was born, Lincoln already had a myriad of health issues: respiratory, cardiac and renal issues. The issues are serious but Lincoln is a fighter.
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“We’re obviously up against some pretty steep stuff,” said Joshua Kontz, the father of Lincoln and husband of Nicole.
Lincoln is currently at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and his family is in need of some help. Usually, Joshua Kontz is the one offering help through his volunteerism in the fire service.
Joshua Kontz is a lieutenant at the Parkland Fire Company and also operates his own construction business. His friend Mike Fox, a fellow firefighter Parkland Fire Company in Middletown, has set up a GoFundMe to help pay Lincoln’s mounting medical expenses. The goal of the campaign is $25,000.
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Between trying to support Lincoln in the hospital and offering emotional support to their four kids at home, the Kontzs are spread pretty thin but trying to manage.
Doctors have told the family that Lincoln might be spending the next six to eight weeks in CHOP, which means constant trips between Middletown and the city hospital for the Kontz family.
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As soon as he was born, Lincoln was needed to be placed on full life support. According to Joshua Kontz, his newborn will likely need to be on dialysis his whole life or get a kidney transplant eventually.
“Everybody in the beginning was absolutely distraught,” he said, adding that support from firefighters and the community had been a blessing.
As of Monday morning, the GoFundMe raised more than $9,100 towards Lincoln’s care, which the Kontz family said they greatly appreciate.
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Seeing the community support give back to his cause makes Josh feel appreciative and humble. “You don’t even think about a return, but since this has happened, the outpouring of love and support is incredible,” Joshua Kontz said.
You can contribute to the GoFundMe for Lincoln’s care here.
