Help Caring for Daylen

Dear Friends of Daylen and the Mikkelson Family,

Daylen and his family need your help. We are Stacey Jehlik and Amy Vitale, and we have been loving friends of TJ and her entire family since we were all just kids ourselves, and we've known her kiddos since they were born. This family needs support from their community right now -- and so we're reaching out to ask for your help.

For the past several years, since 2019, Daylen has been waging a battle against a rare form of brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Through this diagnosis and various treatments, he has remained defiantly optimistic and incredibly resilient. His attitude in the midst of this struggle has offered those around him an impressive lesson in how to appreciate life, enjoy love, and live in the moment. We all have something to learn from how much he has been embracing a joyful life!

For a time, Daylen was beating the cancer. This spring, however, his illness returned. As its impact has worsened, it has become clear that he is going to need more intensive care in the coming days. There are no additional treatments expected to be able to hold back the progress of the cancer Daylen is now facing, so his care going forward will take place at home.

While Daylen's entire family is rallying around him, TJ is going to need to take time off work to care for him -- and she has used up all of the sick time her employer can offer. While she and Kaylie keep Daylen tightly wrapped in all the love and prayers that you all have been sending his way all along this journey, we have a chance to hold them all close -- with prayer, encouragement, and financial support.

We are organizing this fundraiser to do what we can to help TJ, Daylen, Kaylie, and the entire Mikkelson Family during this tough time. Funds raised will be used to cover living expenses so that TJ can take the time off work she needs to care for Daylen at home and to cover expenses related to Daylen's care and support. TJ expects to take time off intermittently now and more consistently as Daylen's needs change in the coming weeks/months.

Just as she has fiercely loved her boy for the 23 years since she brought him into this world, TJ will be fiercely loving him through this next part of his path in life. She covets your prayers for Daylen, and we ask for prayers for his entire family-- and some financial contribution if you are able to make it. Let's help them know that we're right there alongside them as they take this journey together.