Aid Brinleigh's Fight Against Unseen Illness

Brinleigh Runion was born 8/17/23 and required an 8 day NICU stay. When Brinleigh was just 6 months old she started to develop high fevers that reached 104-105, not including her childhood illnesses. She has continued with these fevers every 4 weeks, with no diagnosed reason. After many pediatrician visits, ER visits, medications, and several tests she was referred to UVA immunology clinic.

She had her first appointment in May 2025, where we met with the doctor and discussed her symptoms and fevers. Since then Brinleigh has had numerous lab draws to track her CBC, C-Reactive Protein, and Manual differential labs- which have continued to stay elevated. Brinleigh had an unprovoked seizure on 1/31/25, and with that she has to see a neurologist. She had an MRI and EEG, which thankfully came back normal, but she will continue to see her neurologist every 6 months. Brinleigh had a follow up appointment on 6/30/25 to meet with her immunologist, a dermatologist, and a genetic doctor to discuss her fevers. She had to have lab work again. The genesis is doing a genetic panel, and her immunologist is checking her platelet count. If her platelets are still elevated, she will have to see a hematologist.

With Brinleigh’s condition she will have continuous visits to UVA, neurology, her pediatrician, and lab work. Due to Brinleigh’s condition it requires Britney, her mother to take unpaid days off of work. Brinleigh’s ER, specialists, copays, and lab bills add up very quickly, making it difficult on her parents to make ends meet.

Brinleigh’s specialists are a little over two hours away. Any support received would help with gas, food, copays, and hotel stays during her visits to UVA. Donations would also help with her past medical bills, including ER visits, MRI, EEG, and labs.

When Brinleigh is feeling well, you can find her playing with her baby dolls, cooking something in her kitchen, or playing with her dogs Willow and Oakleigh! Brinleigh loves Minnie Mouse, Blippi, and Ms. Rachel. She loves to play outside, especially in the pool and on her trampoline! Though Brinleigh has been through a lot at such a young age, she continues to smile her way through it all!