In a different life, my son Jaukobe would have been able to travel the world with his siblings and discover what life truly has to offer. Unfortunately, Jaukobe has a severe heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and his life expectancy is uncertain—the oldest living patient with this condition is just 35 years old. He is also severely mentally challenged, which makes every new experience even more meaningful. On top of this, he faces cirrhosis of the liver, lymphedema, varicose vein disease, diabetes, and a disease in his lymph nodes that doctors want to treat with chemotherapy. I want to give Jaukobe some enjoyment and fulfillment, to see parts of the world he’s never seen before, while he still can.

We don’t travel very much, but I try to do something special for him every year so he can experience life outside of Cincinnati. This year is different. If Jaukobe starts chemotherapy, he may never be able to travel again. I don’t know what the future holds, but I want to know I did everything I could to bring him happiness and new experiences. As a recovering addict of 15 years, I am grateful for the chance to be present for my son and to give him moments of joy. I want him to see something beautiful before he leaves this world, and I believe Las Vegas—with its shows and excitement—will bring him peace and happiness, even if just for a little while.

Jaukobe is very sick, and if I don’t take him on this trip now, we may never have another chance. I’m asking for your help to make this possible. Any donation will help us cover the cost of airfare and give Jaukobe the gift of adventure and memories to cherish. Thank you for supporting us and helping me give my son a reason to smile.