Aizen was born with end-stage renal failure. He was on peritoneal dialysis until the age of two and a half, but then started experiencing complications with his peritoneal port. He was transitioned to hemodialysis, and since then, his journey has been filled with challenges, from persistent itching to multiple procedures.

Aya was born in August 2021, and at first, everything seemed normal. However, she struggled to gain weight, leading to frequent doctor visits. It was soon discovered that Aya was aspirating everything she drank, requiring a hospital stay at Vanderbilt. Her first surgery revealed a severe laryngeal cleft affecting her airway, leading to multiple surgeries to correct the issue.

Sheldon is 10 years old and the light of his mother’s life. As her only child, it has been just the two of them for so long, facing life’s challenges together. In 2020, their world changed when Sheldon was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumor. He bravely underwent surgery, radiation, and maintenance chemotherapy. But as time passed, new lesions appeared. Despite supportive treatments, his tumor has continued to grow, now visibly protruding from his skull. There are no curative options left—only time.

When Alex and Bekah’s youngest daughter, Dotty, was diagnosed with a rare immune deficiency, their world turned upside down. Dotty’s condition left her without a functioning immune system, and her only hope was a life-saving bone marrow transplant. The family had to temporarily relocate out of state for months of intensive treatment while navigating hospital stays, caring for their other children, and enduring immense financial strain.

Cheyenne is a bright and resilient ten-year-old oncology patient. Initially treated and showing signs of recovery, Cheyenne’s family was devastated when she relapsed in 2020. This time, the challenge was even greater—not just because of the return of her illness, but because her treatment coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carter, an 8-year-old with a bright smile and a courageous spirit, was diagnosed with leukemia and required an extended hospital stay for treatment, lasting 1-2 months. Living with his single mom, who is a high school math teacher, and his older brother, Carter's family faced significant challenges. While her colleagues generously donated sick and vacation time so she could be by Carter’s side, the family struggled to cover essential household expenses, particularly their mortgage payments.

Deena, a brave six-year-old, has been battling neuroblastoma since 2018. After a period of remission, her family faced heartbreak again when it returned, requiring her to resume intensive treatment. As a single mother, Deena’s mom had to cut back on her work hours to care for her daughter, which made it increasingly difficult to cover essential household expenses.