My name is Evamae Lowery, and this story is about my 3-year-old son, Elijah.

Elijah is our joyful, silly, and deeply loving little boy — truly our miracle baby. After 12 years together, my husband and I were blessed with his arrival. From the start, Elijah has been brave, kind, and fiercely loyal to his friends and family, even at such a young age.

This past year has been incredibly challenging for our family. Elijah battled RSV, and not long after, his grandmother was diagnosed with ALS. Through every trial, our faith and prayer have carried us — and now, once again, we lean on that same faith as we face another difficult moment.

Recently, Elijah was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. While it isn’t life-threatening and is fairly common, it does require surgery to repair. Unfortunately, the procedure is expensive — around $4,000 — and because it involves anesthesia for a toddler, the costs are even higher. Elijah’s surgery is scheduled for December 23rd. Waiting until the next available date in March isn’t an option, as the hernia is growing and causing him increasing pain.

As a mother, I humbly ask for your help. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a difference and bring us closer to getting Elijah the care he needs. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your love, prayers, and support for our little boy.