Hi everyone, I am April Jane and I’m writing this from the heart as Mavi’s aunt. My sister, Mavi’s mom, is from the Philippines, and our little Mavi is only three years old — but he has already been through more than most adults ever will. He was born with a congenital heart disease — Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV), with PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) and PVA (Pulmonary Valve Atresia). Despite these challenges, Mavi has always been a joyful, loving, and incredibly bright little boy.

If you’ve ever met Mavi, you’d know that he is no ordinary child. At just three years old, he recites all the planets, knows his fruits and vegetables, sings his ABC’s, counts with confidence, and sings his favorite songs with the sweetest little voice. He loves music so much that he sings around the house every chance he gets. His curiosity surprises us every day, and his joy is contagious.

But what melts our hearts the most is how sweet this child is. Mavi says “I love you” more times in a day than some adults say it in a week. He gives the warmest hugs, and his smile — despite everything he is going through — is something our whole family treasures deeply.

Then one day, everything changed.

Mavi suddenly developed weakness in his right arm. Worried, we brought him to the hospital. After several tests and scans, our family received news that shattered us:

Mavi had a brain abscess in his left parietotemporal lobe.

Since then, Mavi has undergone three (3) brain surgeries:

• Two craniotomies to remove and drain the abscess

• One surgery to insert an External Ventricular Drain (EVD) when he later developed hydrocephalus

Each day in the hospital felt like a storm we were trying to survive. But through it all, Mavi remained brave — so much braver than we could ever ask a child to be.

Our family has been doing everything we can, but the medical expenses from his condition, multiple surgeries, medications, and ongoing care have grown beyond what we can manage alone. It breaks my heart to watch my sister stay strong for her son while carrying this enormous weight.

This is why I am humbly reaching out for help.

Any amount, no matter how small, will go directly to Mavi’s medical care, medications, follow-ups, and continued treatments. Your support means giving this sweet, intelligent little boy the chance to grow up, to keep singing, to keep learning, and to keep saying “I love you” with that warm voice we cherish so much.

Thank you for taking the time to read Mavi’s story. Thank you for caring. And thank you for being part of his fight.