Swansea’s Stark Family Has Two Boys with ‘Rare Auto-Immune Diseases’ [HOLIDAY WISH]

Fun 107 is kicking off our Holiday Wish Week with the United Way of Greater New Bedford by introducing the SouthCoast to the Stark family from Swansea.

Stephanie Stark and her husband, William, are the proud parents of two sons and a 15-year-old daughter, Hayden. Their 11-year-old son, Liam, is battling a rare autoimmune disease, and they recently discovered that their 3-year-old son, Dominic, has the same life-threatening condition. Stephanie described it as "similar to Bubble Boy," where Liam and Dominic don't have an immune system to fight off colds, viruses, or other illnesses.

"Basically, they have no immune system whatsoever, so without treatments, they won't have a chance of survival," said Stephanie. The Stark family's life has become a delicate balancing act—ensuring their sons experience an enriching childhood while protecting them from everyday illnesses that could be life-threatening.

Want to Help the Starks? Donate any amount. Text WISHES24 to 26989. Every penny goes directly to the Stark family in Swansea.

Liam was a twin, but his twin did not survive—possibly due to the same condition. "When he was born, doctors didn't believe Liam would have much of a chance at living a full life, but here he is, 11 years later, still going strong," said Stephanie. "We try to give him a 'normal' life because we don't know what tomorrow will bring, but there are certain things we avoid. If he gets sick, it often means hospital stays and life-threatening circumstances."

Stephanie shared that when COVID-19 hit, the world changed for many, but not for the Stark family. "Nothing really changed for us. I just kept disinfecting everything and thought, 'Hey, this is our normal,'" she said.

Teacher Shares Perspective

One of Liam's teachers, Kelly Roy-Sale, told Fun 107, "Liam also has a heart condition that requires him to travel to Boston for treatments through a port in his chest every three weeks. This process is physically, mentally, and financially draining on the Stark family."

Battles with Insurance

Stephanie also spoke about the hours spent on the phone battling with insurance companies that tend to deny doctor-ordered procedures and medications for her boys. The family’s medical bills continue to pile up.

Starks Will Never Give Up

"There are times when I want to say, 'Oof, I'm done!' But you can't be done. You've got to always fight for your sons. They deserve to be normal kids just like everyone else."

After 11 years of unimaginable stress—now layered with Dominic's recent diagnosis—this is a family that deserves the best Christmas ever.

Stark Children

• 3-year-old Dominic: Loves Sonic, Bluey, and Mickey Mouse. Wears size 2T.
• 11-year-old Liam: Loves Jiu-Jitsu (his dad is a black belt). Would love a desk and computer for his room.
• 15-year-old Hayden: Loves cheerleading, Top Gun in Florida, and Rebel workout gear. Wears women’s size small.

A Holiday Wish for the Stark Parents

William and Stephanie could use a long-overdue date night. Stephanie's birthday is on Christmas Eve, but her only wish is for her children to have a magical Christmas.