Support Arli's Healing Journey Together

Help Support Jessie, Cynthia, Aziel & Baby Arli + Raise Awareness for Infant Botulism

Hi everyone,

We’re reaching out on behalf of Jessie and Cynthia, whose 5-month-old daughter, Arli, is currently recovering from Infant Botulism at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

What started as a frightening and mysterious illness turned into a rare and serious diagnosis. Infant Botulism is most often caused by inhaling naturally occurring spores from disturbed soil, typically in areas with recent construction, excavation, or dust exposure. Doctors believe Arli likely inhaled spores somewhere around the Wenatchee area, although the exact source remains unknown.

This is a vital reminder to all parents with babies under 1: please be extra cautious near construction sites, wind-blown dust, or areas where deep soil has recently been moved—especially on windy days. Just sharing this message could help protect another family.

Arli is a fighter. She’s slowly regaining strength, but the botulism left her extremely weak, and she’s still working hard to breathe on her own. Her lungs and diaphragm are healing, but she remains on a ventilator as she recovers. It’s been a long, scary journey—but there is hope.

Cynthia has never left Arli’s side since she was airlifted to Children’s and continues pumping breastmilk to nourish her daughter through recovery. Jessie has been traveling back and forth between Seattle and Wenatchee to care for their 4-year-old son, Aziel, who deeply misses his family.

Both Jessie and Cynthia have been out of work for over three weeks, and the emotional and financial toll is adding up.

This GoFundMe was created to provide relief—from missed paychecks, travel expenses, meals, and more—so this loving family can focus on what matters most: Arli’s healing and being together again under one roof.

If you’re able to donate, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And if you can’t give, even a share or a prayer goes a long way.

Let’s surround this family with love, lift them up in this time of need, and help spread awareness that might protect others.

With so much gratitude,

#TeamArli