Ayana is a 22-year-old future dental hygienist who was recently diagnosed with aggressive spinal cord cancer. She is currently unable to walk or care for herself, but she's fighting hard through radiation and therapy. Your support will help with medical costs, therapy, housing, and daily living expenses.

Title: Help Ayana Fight Spinal Cord Cancer with Strength, Faith & Support

Story:

Ayana is a bright, hilarious, and headstrong 22-year-old with a gorgeous smile and a sarcastic sense of humor. She’s independent, confident, and passionate about her career in dentistry. She had recently started dating a phenomenal young man and was actively pursuing her dreams of becoming a dental hygienist.

But in late 2024, everything began to change.

What started as weakness in her right hand was initially brushed off as carpal tunnel. Doctors weren't overly concerned at first. But over the following months, her symptoms progressed. Her right hand weakened further, her arm grew tired faster, and her shoulder began to show signs of muscle loss. Ayana saw an orthopedic specialist, a neurosurgeon, and eventually underwent an EMG. MRI scans soon followed. By February 24, 2025, she could no longer work. The once simple tasks—holding instruments at work, cooking, doing her hair, even buttoning her jeans—became impossible.

Then came the diagnosis: a rare Astrocytoma tumor located inside her spinal cord, and eventually, after surgery, the official diagnosis: Grade 4 Glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of spinal cord cancer.

This has completely upended Ayana’s life.

In May 2025, she underwent an 8-hour spinal surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center. While the surgeons were able to remove a portion of the tumor, they had to leave part of it untouched to avoid permanent paralysis. Since then, Ayana has been hospitalized, first in the ICU, then Med-Surg, and now in a rehabilitation unit. The tumor and surgery have left her unable to walk, stand, feed herself, shower, or use the restroom independently.

Her medical team believes the paralysis is temporary, but it will take time, relentless therapy, and prayer. She is undergoing intensive physical and occupational therapy every day. Her right arm and hand, however, may never fully regain function.

Radiation therapy is set to begin May 28, and will last for six weeks, five days a week. This therapy is designed to slow the growth of the remaining tumor, but it will also destroy healthy cells. Her doctors have made it clear: remission is not expected. If the tumor begins to regenerate, Ayana’s next medical option will be to enroll in a clinical trial.

Despite it all, Ayana remains a fighter.

In her mother Cocoa’s words:

“We do not have a 'why us' mindset. We do not have a 'what now' mindset. This is what landed in our lap. But never—never—do we remain down. We have a choice: we fight or we quit. We choose to fight.”

Their faith has carried them through the darkest moments.

“This is not the end of Ayana’s story. Our God can do exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20–21). He is our refuge, the Alpha and the Omega, and He already knew of this obstacle before we did—and He’s been making a way.”

How You Can Help

The donations from this fundraiser will go directly toward:

Whether you give $10 or $1,000, you’re a part of Ayana’s village—and every act of generosity helps her and her family breathe just a little easier.

From Cocoa and Ayana:

“To say thank you isn’t enough, but thank you. Your compassion and love are deeply felt. We are forever grateful.”