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What should have been the happiest time in 22-year-old Bethany Bachalo-Doyle’s life has taken a devastating turn. Just two weeks after giving birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl, the young mother from Portage la Prairie now lies in critical condition in a Winnipeg intensive care unit.
The sudden health crisis has shocked her family, friends, and community, and spurred an outpouring of support that continues to grow each day.
Joyous beginning turns to crisis
After a smooth birth, Bethany welcomed Stevie-Ann on August 19, and the newborn was perfect in every way. The family was overjoyed, soaking in the early days of new motherhood, bonding, and baby cuddles.
But it quickly became clear something wasn’t right.
At first, Bethany appeared tired, which is to be expected of a new mom. But her exhaustion soon became extreme. She was unable to eat, couldn’t keep water down, and felt unusually weak. On August 25, she returned to Portage District General Hospital, where tests revealed her liver was dangerously enlarged. Doctors immediately transferred her to the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) in Winnipeg for more specialized care.
Just two days later, on August 27, her condition deteriorated dramatically. She suffered acute liver failure, which triggered a series of life-threatening complications, including multiple organ failure, brain swelling, and internal bleeding.
One doctor told the family that Bethany was “the sickest patient at HSC.”
A mother fighting for her life
Bethany was placed in intensive care, put on a ventilator, and began dialysis. She has undergone multiple blood transfusions, surgeries, and biopsies, while doctors raced to determine what was causing her condition.
As of now, Bethany remains in critical condition, with no confirmed diagnosis. Doctors continue to monitor her organ function around the clock.
“She hasn’t gotten worse, which is a good thing,” says Madison Wickham, a close family friend. “But there’s still so much uncertainty. At this point, they really don’t know what the future holds.”
A village steps in
In the midst of this medical crisis, Bethany’s family has shown incredible resilience, and they’ve had help from a village of support.
Her family, Colin and Colley-Ann Doyle, have spent the past week living in Winnipeg with Madison and her husband Derek, to remain close to Bethany. Now, with their three younger daughters recently starting school back in Portage, the Doyles are navigating the emotional and logistical challenge of splitting their time between both cities, all while caring for baby Stevie, who was cleared to leave the hospital without her mother.
“We didn’t want them driving back and forth from Portage every day,” Wickham explains. “Especially not with a newborn. Our house is 10 minutes from the hospital. It just made sense, so our home is their home right now.”
The families met in 2020 when their daughters connected and became fast friends. That early bond quickly blossomed into something deeper.
“They welcomed us into their family and basically adopted us from day one. We even asked Colin to officiate our wedding because we knew he was the right man for the job. When I had my daughter in 2023, they immediately became Auntie and Uncle, and when we heard Bethany was pregnant, we were all so excited," she adds.
Today, that bond has become a lifeline.
Support beyond measure
To ease the growing financial burden on the Doyle family, Madison launched a GoFundMe campaign as a way for people who care to help, without overwhelming the family during this emotional time.
“They didn’t want to ask for donations, but people were reaching out constantly, wanting to do something. I told them, ‘This isn’t about asking for help. It’s about letting people show up for you in the only way they can right now.’”
And the community has shown up in full force. The fundraiser has seen an outpouring of generosity from friends, coworkers, and even strangers. But the support hasn’t stopped at donations. Many have also responded to the family’s call for blood donations, something Bethany has required repeatedly during her hospitalization. Her experience has shown how blood donors are crucial, not just for her, but for thousands of others in crisis every day.
Colin Doyle says the support has been humbling.
“This situation truly shows the power of community,” he says. “It’s not the first time I’ve seen people rally for a family in crisis, but when it’s your family, it’s overwhelming. We are focused on Bethany and Stevie, and the fact that people are helping to lift the financial burden gives us space to breathe.”
While Bethany continues to fight in the ICU, her daughter Stevie is surrounded by love. She’s thriving under the care of her grandparents and the Wickham family, who are doing everything they can to make sure Bethany doesn’t miss a single moment.
“She’s the sweetest baby. Every moment we have with her, we treasure. I’m taking as many photos and videos as I can so Bethany doesn’t miss any of it because I know how much those early days mean,” Wickham explains.
Looking ahead
At this point, Bethany’s future remains uncertain. Doctors are still searching for a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan. The emotional toll is heavy, and so is the financial one.
“No one knows what rehabilitation will look like,” Wickham continues. “We don’t even know if the current amount raised will cover everything, but for now, they can step back, worry about their family, and not about anything else. And that’s the most important thing.”
For those looking to help, financial contributions can still be made via the GoFundMe, and blood donations can be made through Canadian Blood Services.
"Our city’s generosity has been on full display over the last couple of weeks, and that’s why we love living where we do," Doyle adds. "Stevie-Ann is healthy, happy, and adorable. We can’t wait for her Mom to get better and have the opportunity to get to know how special she is."
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