The Galesburg Police Department, first responders, family, friends and concerned citizens are coming to the aid of a Galesburg/Knox County 911 dispatcher who suffered a life-threatening medical emergency while giving birth this past weekend.
Abbey Small experienced the rare medical emergency on Saturday, requiring her to be flown to a larger hospital for advanced care. She is currently in critical condition, under sedation, and is fighting for her life.
Abbey has been a dispatcher for a year and a half, and her husband Kyle Small is a Galesburg Police officer and member of the Army National Guard. The Army National Guard granted Kyle leave from his overseas deployment to be home with Abbey and their two-year-old as their new addition, a second daughter, joined the family.
Galesburg Police Chief Russ Idle joined Galesburg's Morning News on Thursday to talk about Abbey and Kyle, and fundraising efforts being conducted through GoFundMe. Idle said the Smalls had a baby girl Saturday, and the newborn is healthy.
"Unfortunately, (Abbey) suffered some complications during child birth that resulted in cardiac event," Idle said.
Idle said after life-saving measures, Abbey was life-flighted to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria for further treatment.
"She's basically fighting for her life at this time." Idle said.
As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the GoFundMe had received 488 donations and raised $37,506 of it goal of $75,000.
"We're doing our best as their work family to support them, be there for them, and provide them with all of the love and resources that we can to try and get them through this situation," Idle said. "We're really appreciate with all of the help received through the GoFundMe, but the needs are going to be huge.
"The support has been heartwarming. It's encouraging to know that there are people out there that care about their community and care about their first responders. We're just going to keep fighting day to day, hour by hour to help support Abbey and Kyle."