We are raising funds for our mother, Cynthia Jefferson, who unexpectedly fell ill on July 4, 2025. While at a neighbor's barbecue, she began exhibiting symptoms consistent with pancreatitis and an obstructed bowel. Thankfully, she was in the company of a retired RN and Physician's Assistant, and they were able to identify that her symptoms required urgent attention. They rushed her to the emergency room where it was confirmed that she had an obstructed bowel and required emergency surgery. Unfortunately, her small intestine twisted on itself and perforated before they were able to correct the twisted bowel, causing toxins to release into her bloodstream, resulting in septic shock. Since then, each day has been a battle, and our mother is actively fighting for her life. As of today, July 15, she is in the step-down ICU on a mechanical ventilator providing life support, tons of antibiotics to clear her full-body infection, and has months ahead of her on the journey to full recovery.

Our mother has dedicated the last 40 years of her life in service to her community as a social worker for Los Angeles County. She raised my brother and me as a single mother and deserves to retire peacefully, but on top of this recent health crisis, she was also one of the hundreds of homeowners in Altadena temporarily displaced from the Eaton fires.

My brother and I have no idea what her medical bills, cost of recovery care, and additional living expenses due to loss of work will amount to, but we know that life support is not cheap. Our mother has spent her whole life taking care of others, and the last thing we want her to worry about is the financial impact of this tragedy after having to fight to survive.