Hope for Raiden: Our Little Fighter’s Journey

On Monday, June 30, 2025, Emily and Stetson welcomed their beautiful baby boy, Raiden Leonidas Jones. He arrived much earlier than they had anticipated, at just 31 weeks, 6 days. He weighed 4 lbs 0.07 ounces and was 17 3/4” long. He's absolutely perfect, so handsome, and has a head full of fuzzy brown hair.

The hours leading up to Raiden’s delivery were very chaotic and very scary. They included being transferred from Martin, TN to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN by ambulance, followed by an emergency c-section very soon after Emily’s arrival.

This GoFundMe has been created to help Emily and Stetson with the travel costs, meals while they remain in Nashville, possible hotel room stays, time spent away from work, as well as the needs specific to bringing home and caring for a premature newborn and the follow-up appointments he will require since he has had a kidney and a portion of his small intestine removed.

Raiden impressed all of the medical staff with just how quickly he met each of his required milestones. With each milestone reached, and every ounce he gained, he grew closer and closer to being discharged from Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

However, about at a week after he was born, the doctors grew concerned about his calcium level continuing to rise, even with modifying the amount of calcium he was receiving through his supplemental feedings. Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was ordered, where a spot was seen on his kidney.

Following a confirmatory CT scan, Raiden was diagnosed with congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN), a rare kidney tumor. Raiden has a large tumor on his right kidney which has also caused that kidney to become non-functional. This type of tumor usually isn't found until the child is 3-6 months, but due to the routine labs that accompany a NICU stay, his tumor was discovered much sooner due to his elevated calcium level.

On August 1st, Raiden underwent surgery to remove the tumor, as well as his right kidney at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. After a couple more weeks of recovery, Raiden was finally discharged home on August 18, 2025. He spent a total of 49 days in the NICU at Vanderbilt Children’s Medical Center. 

His parents are trying to balance the time they want to spend with their son in the hospital and while also maintaining the requirements of everyday life: work, bills, appointments, responsibilities, etc.

Any amount you are able to contribute will be greatly appreciated. It is very expensive to eat and stay at the hospital in Nashville. And they need to focus on their baby boy and his recovery and not worry about any financial needs. 

In Matthew 6:25-34 we are reassured that God will always provide a way, and He will meet all of our needs. However, if you are able and feel led to give, please consider donating. Thank you for all of the texts, calls, messages, donations, and, most of all, for the constant and continued prayers for Emily, Stetson, and our little fighter, baby Raiden.