My name is Janeca and I am creating this GoFundMe at the request of my sister, Chira Childs, in honor of her daughter, my niece, Jalayah Covington. We called her Lay or LayLay.

On July 2, 2025, our world changed forever. At just 9 years old, Jalayah was diagnosed with Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma, an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer almost never seen in children. By the time her doctors discovered it, the cancer had already metastasized to her lungs. Still, our sweet Lay faced every day with courage.

She began chemotherapy immediately and completed 5 of the planned 12 rounds. But despite her strength and the efforts of her medical team, the tumor continued to grow rapidly, eventually engulfing her stomach and causing a complete blockage of her esophagus. On October 7th, we were told the words no family is ever prepared to hear…that there was nothing more that could be done.

On November 10, 2025, just 35 days shy of her 10th birthday and 131 days after diagnosis, our beautiful Jalayah gained her wings.

Lay was truly one of the sweetest little girls you could ever meet. She was always smiling, always dancing, always finding a way to make the people around her feel loved. She adored her family, spent hours on TikTok, and never turned down a trip to McDonald’s. Her joy was pure, and her light touched everyone who knew her.

We are raising funds to help my sister cover funeral expenses and to provide financial support for Jalayah’s 4-year-old little brother, Manny, as they navigate life through an unimaginable loss.

If you are able to give, we are deeply grateful. If you cannot, we ask that you please share this link and keep our family in your prayers. Thank you for loving Lay with us.