Help Devon Blais Get Critical Medical Care

Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Strangers,

Our beautiful friend and nephew, Devon Blais, a 24 year-old graduate student who has dedicated his life to helping others, now desperately needs our prayers and any financial help we can offer. Devon has been battling a mysterious neurological condition since March of this year that has left him bedridden in constant pain, unable to work or study, and searching for answers from the medical community. We are hoping to raise funds for the mounting medical bills and travel to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He and his wife of 3 years, Anna, had to take leave from their jobs in Portland, Oregon to both focus on his health.

Headaches and Cerebral Spinal Fluid Leak

Devon’s symptoms began with a severe headache and visual changes that never went away. After countless tests and being hospitalized for a month, Devon still doesn’t have a definitive diagnosis.

Recently, a spinal tap was performed to investigate possible neurological causes. Unfortunately, this procedure has made his condition worse and resulted in a continuous cerebral spinal fluid leak. This means his brain, instead of floating comfortably in spinal fluid, is sagging, causing severe, continuous headaches. He must lie flat on his back or else excruciating pain will occur from his head, radiating down to his back. As a result, Devon needs to lay flat while traveling to medical appointments. Flying is not an option.

Despite multiple blood patches to seal the spinal cord leak, Devon’s condition has not improved. Neurosurgeons from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and Stanford believe the cause may be a rupture in the dura mater (the protective covering around the spinal cord) but they aren’t sure. Additionally, an arachnoid cyst was discovered in his brain. While doctors believe it is unlikely to be the source of his pain, it remains another question mark in his diagnosis.

There are very few specialists in cerebral spinal fluid leaks in the United States. He has an appointment to see one at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona on December 16th. We are hoping for a definitive diagnosis and pray for a treatment option.

More About Devon

Devon has always been deeply passionate about serving others. For his entire adult life, he has worked for the church and various non-profits serving the homeless in San Francisco and Portland, the impoverished in India, and those in need in his community. He hopes to return to complete his graduate program to become a clinical psychologist with a plan of helping those who have experienced trauma. He has dedicated himself to offering hope and dignity to the most vulnerable, showing remarkable compassion and faith.

How You Can Help

We are hoping we can come together in his time of need to show him the love and support he so generously shares with others. All funds will be used to pay for:

Any donation, however small, is truly appreciated and will make a difference in their lives. Thank you for your prayers and any help you may be able to offer.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Brita Sieve and Vonne Sieve Cook