Prayers and Support for Baby Jovie: Our Little Heart Warrior

Dear friends and family,

We’re reaching out with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits to ask for help in supporting the newest member of our family, Jovie Oakes. On April 16th, 2025, Gabriel, Liz, and their three young daughters, Marlee, Graycen, and Tatum, welcomed Jovie into their beautiful family. Shortly after her birth, Jovie was unexpectedly diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis and borderline Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. She was immediately transferred to UCSF in Oakland, where she underwent her first heart procedure. Unfortunately, her heart continued to fail and her condition continued to deteriorate. During this time, Liz and Gabe humbly asked for one thing - Prayers for Jovie.

The entire medical team studied her case, and came to the conclusion that she needed a complex surgery at UCSF in San Francisco. In her doctor's words, "She's a healthy baby girl, she just has a broken heart." At just 1 week old, she was transferred to UCSF Benioff in SF where she underwent a life-saving open heart surgery. Approximately 15 hours later, and what seemed like a lifetime, Liz and Gabe were reunited with their baby girl.

Jovie remains in the Children’s Cardiac ICU, in critical condition, and has an extremely long road to recovery. She has consistently proven her strength and determination to get home to her sisters, and we are praying that she continues to make progress each day. She is the definition of a Heart Warrior, and has the biggest army of people who love her beyond measure.

This has been an extremely emotional and exhausting time for Liz and Gabe, and we all wish that we could take their pain and heartbreak away as they watch their baby heal. They have been overwhelmed with all of the love and support they have received in the last 2 weeks, and it has given them the strength that they need to get through this together.

We know that Gabriel and Liz would never ask for donations, however, Gabe has taken time away from his job as an Alameda County Firefighter. They have had to temporarily relocate to SF while continuing to raise their 3 older daughters and support Jovie in the hospital. As their family, we are asking you to join us in supporting them, whether through donation, prayer, or simply sharing their story.