My name is Carolyn, and I am reaching out on behalf of my family as we navigate an incredibly challenging time. My granddaughter Destinee recently gave birth (Dec 19th) to my great-grandson, Ja’Kyrin, much earlier than expected. Throughout Destinee’s pregnancy, we knew that Ja’Kyrin would be born with a heart defect, and now that he is here, we are facing the reality that he will need several surgeries to give him the best chance at a healthy life. The only surgeon who can perform these critical procedures is located in Oklahoma City, 2 hours from their home in Tulsa, which means our family is staying in Oklahoma City during Ja’Kyrin’s NICU stay and will be traveling back and forth frequently for follow-up care in the months ahead.

Destinee (mom) and her boyfriend Jesse (dad) are both still in high school, working hard to graduate early while also facing the challenges of taking care of their son. With so much happening so quickly, they have not had the time or resources to save money for the many expenses we are now facing. Our family has truly been relying on God’s plan for Ja’Kyrin, Destinee, and Jesse as we move through this time of uncertainty.

We are reaching out to our community for support—whether through prayers or financial assistance—as we work to cover travel costs, necessities, and mounting medical bills. It truly takes a village, and right now, we are in need of all the support we can get. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any help you are able to offer.