Hi everyone, my name is MaiXao, and I’m organizing this fundraiser on behalf of my sister Maize and brother-in-law Zon, who recently lost their precious baby girl, Ashlin Thao.

As a young couple whose greatest dream was to become parents, Maize and Zon’s miracle came true when they were able to conceive Ashlin through two rounds of expensive IVF. However, this beautiful dream was shattered when they learned, while Ashlin was still in utero, that she might have a heart condition. Doctors comforted Maize and gave her hope that with surgeries, Ashlin could have a chance at living a normal life. Even though Ashlin was developing normally as a fetus, Maize’s pregnancy was filled with stress, fear, and countless expensive visits to a maternal-fetal specialist. On June 26th, 2025, Ashlin Leah Thao was born with the diagnosis of a congenital heart defect known as ventricular septal defect with transposition of greater artery, a condition where she has a double outlet right ventricle defect of the heart and only three heart chambers. After a week of birth, cute, happy newborn Ashlin was stable, so the family came home and spent precious time together. Three weeks of bonding with beautiful memories were short-lived as Ashlin’s condition deteriorated dramatically, requiring hospitalization. Maize and Zon took off work and spent every day at Dallas Children’s Hospital in the NICU with their baby girl. Ashlin fought bravely through one major open-heart surgery and multiple complications, holding on to life. With a heavy heart, Maize had to return to work after three months of maternity leave while Zon stayed by Ashlin’s side. Doctors exhausted all medical care and refused any more interventions. They sent Ashlin home on hospice. She spent three precious days at home with her parents. In critical distress, Ashlin was rushed back to the hospital for intubation. Ashlin’s parents had to make a final heartbreaking decision to take her off life support. Within a few minutes, her lips turned bluish, her heart took its final beat, and she fell asleep peacefully in her tearful, loving mother’s arms. Hospital staff took every measure to keep her comfortable through the end of life. Despite the love, prayers, and incredible care she received, she sadly passed away on October 30, 2025.

This process was one of the most exhausting, difficult, and painful four months that Maize and Zon endured as parents. They were drained physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. As our family grieves this precious loss, I’m hoping to help ease the financial burden of medical, travel, and funeral expenses that have built up over the past few months. Any donation, no matter how small, or words of comfort will help Maize and Zon focus on healing and honoring Ashlin’s beautiful memory.