Gwendolyn, better known as Gwen, was born with a very rare type of mitochondrial genetic disease called Cytochrome C Oxidase Deficiency. After having difficulty with her muscle tone and swallowing issues with no known cause, she was hospitalized starting September 3, 2021 due to respiratory failure. While hospitalized and on life support, her loving parents, Nick and Stephanie Stancombe, were given this daunting diagnosis for their sweet baby girl. Gwen was eventually weaned off the ventilator but was still requiring continuous oxygen support. They made the unfathomable decision to allow a natural death for Gwen and put her into hospice care with a set discharge to their home on 10/5/2021. Unfortunately, although Gwen fought with all her might, she went into the loving arms of Jesus on 10/4/2021 while still hospitalized. She passed peacefully and was surrounded by her loving parents, grandparents, and aunts.
Although Gwen’s life was short, we wish that her legacy would be larger and more impactful than anything we could ever have imagined.
This genetic disorder currently has no cure. Because of it’s rarity, diagnosis takes an extremely long time and very few people have ever even heard of mitochondrial disease. The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation seeks to find a cure, research, educate, and support families in their fight against the many different subsets of mitochondrial disease. Please consider donating whatever you are able to honor the life of Gwendolyn and to help find a cure for this horrific disease.
Thank you for your support ❤️
