Benefit set for newborn baby

A family is looking for help so they can be at the hospital where their newborn baby will in October undergo surgery - the third since his birth July 25.

Pizza Hut will hold a benefit Sept. 1 for Brandon Chase St. Marks Jr. of Havre.

A benefit account also has been established at Bear Paw Credit Union where people can donate money to help pay for Brandon's mother, Brianna Gardipee, travelling to be at his side at Seattle Children's Hospital before and during his next surgery.

Brandon's father, Brandon Chase St. Marks Sr., said his son - born more than a month premature - has had a tough start on life.

"His first couple of days being in this world, he had to have two surgeries," St. Marks Sr. said.

Gardipee said her son has gastroschisis, a condition where the baby's intestines protrude through a hole in the abdomen. The condition also led to his premature birth, St. Marks Sr. said.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics show the condition is rare - its web page about gastroschisis says about 1,871 babies are born with the condition in the United States each year.

As soon as Brandon was born, doctors in Great Falls conducted surgery, but with more work needed, he was immediately flown to the Seattle hospital where another surgery was conducted.

Gardipee said Brandon, who the family spent time with in Seattle as soon as he was transported there, is seeing some improvement, including now being able to breathe on his own, but is still under close care and supervision.

"So he's hooked up to a lot of tubes and stuff," she said.

The family had to return to Havre after a short stay in Seattle when their money ran out and St. Marks Sr. had to get back to work, the couple said.

The hospital - and Gardipee - want her there for the surgery, which should be scheduled shortly, she said.

"They want me to be there with him," she said.

The Pizza Hut fundraiser will contribute 20 percent of sales Sept. 1 to an account to defray the family's expenses. Customers need to tell the Pizza Hut employee they want to contribute to the fundraiser. The donation applies to dine-in, carry-out and delivered purchases.

People wishing to make a donation to the account set up at Bear Paw Credit Union can make deposits in the Brandon Chase St. Marks Jr. Medical Account.

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Online: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gastrischisis page: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/gastroschisis.html