Hi, my name is Natalie and I’m starting this fundraiser for my dear friend Tracy and her husband James.

Tracy is one of the kindest, most selfless people I know. As a surgical technologist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, she shows up every day with a warm heart and a determined spirit—working to save children’s lives, even while quietly battling something unimaginable at home.

Her husband James (just 27 years old when all this started) and the loving father to their bright and beautiful 5-year-old daughter, Addison, was healthy, hardworking, and devoted to his family—until their world was turned upside down.

On January 4th, it all started with what seemed like pneumonia, but just two days later, he was rushed to the ER with severe shortness of breath. Doctors found a large amount of fluid on his lungs and quickly rushed him to St. Vincent. On January 7th, they drained 750ml from his left lung. They also noticed fluid around his heart but believed it wasn’t yet a major concern.

He was discharged, went back to work, and tried to push forward—but his condition worsened quickly.

By January 17th, he was back in the ER, again unable to breathe and feeling extreme fatigue. A CT scan revealed a dangerous amount of fluid around his heart. The next day, he underwent a pericardial window procedure, and doctors drained 850ml from around his heart.

Then came the unimaginable news nobody ever wants to hear:

One week later, biopsy results showed T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma—a rare and aggressive blood cancer.

He was immediately transferred to UAMS for specialized care to treat the aggressive T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. On January 25th, James had a bone marrow biopsy, a PICC line placed, and began chemotherapy that very night. Doctors told them it would take 8 full cycles of chemo, followed by 2 years of maintenance chemo—an exhausting journey ahead.

Since then, James has endured:

• Multiple rounds of pneumonia treatment

• Blood and platelet transfusions

• A pulmonary embolism

• Countless nights in the hospital and away from family

All while Tracy continues to work, go to school (to become a Physician Assistant and obtain her bachelor’s), care for Addison, and try to stay strong for her husband who needs her support.

Why They Need Our Help

This young family is facing unimaginable emotional, physical, and financial burdens. Between hospital stays, treatments, loss of work, loss of short-term disability, and caring for their daughter, the expenses are overwhelming. Your donation will help with:

• Medical bills and insurance gaps

• Travel costs for treatment

• Household expenses while James cannot work and provide for his family.

Tracy and James would never ask for help themselves—so I am doing it for them.

Let’s show them they’re not alone in this fight. Let’s give this family the support they need to breathe a little easier while times are difficult.