Unborn baby of woman on life support still kicking; donations pour in

Published: 2005-06-22

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- In the weeks since Susan Torres was rushed to the hospital after she suffered a stroke caused by melanoma, a deadly cancer, the pregnant woman has remained on life support for the sake of her unborn baby. Since her stroke left her brain dead, she has been closely monitored, and her baby's development has proceeded normally. Baby Torres is alive and kicking -- literally. On June 20, Susan's husband, Jason, was able to feel his child kick for the first time, according to Mercy Schlapp, a friend of the Torres family. But the battle for the child's life is far from over. Twenty-five weeks gestation is the earliest that a baby can survive an early delivery, and Susan Torres' 21st week of pregnancy began June 20. The family hopes to wait until 30 weeks have passed before delivering. Right now, the cancer has spread to Susan's lymph nodes, but the baby is in no immediate danger, said Schlapp. The Torres family is doing well, given the circumstances, Fathers Denis Donahue and Jerry Wooton told the Arlington Catholic Herald, newspaper of the Arlington Diocese. "They're doing amazingly well, and it's all due to their Catholic faith," said Father Donahue, pastor of St. Rita Parish in Alexandria. "That's what's holding them together." Many people have been calling St. Rita Church, where Susan and Jason Torres are members, to find out what they can do to help. Father Donahue directs them to the fund established to help with medical expenses not covered by insurance. The bill is expected to be between $300,000 and $400,000, although this may rise depending on how long the mother is kept alive.

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