dbryce@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - While she might be tiny, Makennah Hailey Rae, born on

Oct. 23 and weighing in at just 1 pound, 4 ounces, is proving that she's a survivor.

The infant, who was born 10 weeks early, remains at the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake, where she was flown shortly after she was born at the Portneuf Medical Center. Her parents, James Fox and Jovani Witmer, of Pocatello, have remained with her since that time.

James is employed at Wal-Mart and Jovani works at Beacon Rehabilitation Hospital. The couple are staying with family in American Fork, Utah, and each day they transfer between four buses and the downtown train to get to the hospital to be with their tiny baby.

Makennah's grandmother, Justine Pratt, also of Pocatello, said the baby's condition is improving. Makennah now weighs 1.8 pounds and doctors expect to remove her from the ventilator next week.

"She's a little fighter. She really wants to be here," Pratt said.

Pratt said a series of scans indicate that Makennah is fully developed, she just needs time to grow. If all goes well, Makennah could be home in February, but she must reach the 4-pound mark before being discharged.

Makennah has an infection in her lungs that is being treated with antibiotics. Infection is the biggest threat to the palm-sized baby as she fights for her life.

Pratt said watching Jovani, her only child, go through this difficult time has taken its toll.

"It's horrible. I don't eat, I don't sleep and I've found myself stopping at green lights," Pratt said. "Every time I see Jovani she looks more tired and more stressed."

James and Jovani are unable to hold their baby, but Makennah responds to their touch through a gloved opening in the incubator. A photo on Pratt's cell phone shows Makennah's tiny fist clenched tightly to her mother's finger.

At two weeks old, Makennah opened her eyes for the first time.

"Jovani told her, 'Baby, please just open your eyes and see who I am,' and the next time she went in and her eyes were open," Pratt said.

While Medicaid will pay Makennah's medical bills, James and Jovani are struggling to pay rent and utility bills due to wages lost following the birth of their daughter.

Family and friends of the couple hosted dinner and a concert for them Sunday at the First National Bar on West Center Street. The event included raffles, a silent auction and a $2-a-plate potluck dinner.

Bar manager Tracy Ward said everyone benefits from the community events.

"We host a lot of these fundraisers," Ward said as she made her way through the crowd selling raffle tickets. "It's always a good thing."

Local bands, Alteredge and Friends of Dan, also donated their time to the fundraiser.

Alteredge, whose musical genre is described as Christian metal, is comprised of Bryan Wills on bass, drummer Jerry Hawkins, vocalist Aragon Bybee and Kurt Decoria on guitar. They said they were happy to get involved in the event.

"It's a good cause and we love to rock," Bybee said.

Pratt said organizers hoped to raise enough money Sunday to pay James and Jovani's rent. A second fundraiser will be held at Duffy's on North Main in the near future.

Patti Cox, who described Makennah's father, James, as her adopted son, said an account has also been established at Wells Fargo Bank to benefit Makennah and her family and donation cans are being displayed at Ridley's on North Arthur.

Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo branch to account number 8683505229.

James and Jovani could not be reached for comment, but Cox said she visited the couple Saturday.

"They're both really stressed, but they're trying really hard and they're hanging in there," she said.