A Calgary family with a baby in need of constant medical attention received a much needed donation courtesy of the Hollywood horror classic, Aliens. Sawyer Kai was born prematurely last year with a number of potentially life threatening conditions and spent 112 days in the NICU. The little boy’s condition continued to improve over the summer and the family was able to get out for a number of outings. In August Sawyer’s family noticed a change and says he started experiencing breathing problems. He was admitted to intensive care once again and his parents were told that a tracheostomy would be needed to help clear up the problem. The procedure was completed and Sawyer now has a stable airway in which to breathe. He also has low muscle tone, which causes his airway and limbs to be floppy, and will likely need the trach for the next 18 to 24 months. Sawyer needs a trach trained nurse and someone to watch over him 24 hours a day in order for him to remain at home with his family and those resources don’t come cheap. The family has received some funding from healthcare but they are finding it difficult to pay for all the extras that are required for his care. This week, the family received a little help from the cast of one of the biggest movies in sci-fi history and the Calgary Expo. Calgary Expo put together an auction and members of the cast of the original Aliens signed a replica of the famous alien egg and auctioned it off for $3800. "They always band together and take good care of each other as a team and I had just volunteered at the one expo, and they decided that they wanted to help our family. That's just something that's very Calgarian, very Albertan and very Canadian," said Heath Kai, Sawyer's father. The egg was one of ten prepared by a professional movie props house for last year's Calgary Expo and was signed by Sigourney Weaver, Bill Paxton, Paul Reiser, Carrie Henn, Michael Beihn, Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein, Mark Rolston, and Ricco Ross. Friends and family have also put together a campaign to raise money for the little boy and his family. For more information and to make a donation to Song for Sawyer, click HERE.
