Join Us in Supporting Sami's Journey

We are reaching out to ask for support for one of our teammates and his beautiful family as they face an incredibly difficult time.

Their youngest son, Sami, is just 10 months old and has already been through more than most of us could imagine. Born with Down syndrome, Sami was also diagnosed with a rare and serious heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which required his first open-heart surgery at only 3 months old. After that, Sami spent nearly two months in the hospital battling life-threatening "Tet spells," where his oxygen levels would suddenly drop, causing his skin, lips, and nails to turn blue.

During treatment, doctors also discovered that Sami has closed tracheal rings, a rare condition where the structure of his airway makes it extremely difficult to breathe, especially when he's sick. His airway narrows to just 2.9mm in the middle, making even common colds a dangerous situation. Sadly, this means frequent hospital stays, and on two terrifying occasions, Sami has turned blue from lack of oxygen.

Now, this brave little boy is preparing for his second open-chest surgery, and the family is once again facing the emotional, physical, and financial strain that comes with it.

Through it all, his parents have remained strong. Jeanette, his mother, has been by Sami's side every single night in the hospital, learning how to care for him and still managing to care for their 5-year-old son, Adrian, at home. Adrian is truly his dad's "mini-me" a bright, energetic little boy with a huge heart. He understands, even at his young age, that his baby brother needs extra attention and care. It hasn't been easy for him to spend so much time away from his parents while they are in the hospital with Sami, but despite everything, Adrian continues to be a source of joy, laughter, and strength for the whole family.

Dad (Crisanto), a dedicated provider for the family, has been working hard to keep everything afloat — juggling the emotional weight of having a child in the hospital, supporting his wife, making sure Adrian feels loved and cared for, and managing the financial responsibilities on his own. His love for his family is evident, and he describes his wife as his rock, Adrian as his core, and little Sami as his sunshine.

As a single-income family, the financial burden is overwhelming. Between medical bills, travel expenses, everyday living costs, and time away from work, this family is in need of some extra support from their community.

Sami is a fighter, always facing these challenges with a smile. With your help, we can lighten the load for this family and let them focus on what matters most: caring for their sons and staying strong together.

We are asking for any help you can give whether it's a donation, a share of this page, or simply keeping them in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your kindness and support.