Our coworker and friend Suzie’s two-year-old daughter, Jaylene, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor.

She was exhibiting flu-like symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, for about a month, and the ER doctors couldn’t figure out why. They took her to urgent care and the emergency room three different times and were told at first it was the stomach flu, then a bacterial and viral infection at the same time, then a UTI. None of the antibiotics were working. Poor Jaylene was still having a loss of appetite and vomiting almost daily. When she showed signs of being unstable on her feet and having neck pain in addition to not being able to keep all her food down, that’s what drove Suzie and Alex to take baby Jaylene to Children’s Hospital of Orange County, where she felt heard and they took her fears seriously. She knew something was very wrong. After doing a thorough patient intake, the doctors became concerned and suspicious of a potential brain tumor. They immediately sent her in for a CT scan and found a tumor present on her brain that is beginning to wrap around her spinal cord. Baby Jaylene had surgery last night to alleviate some pressure and had more testing done this morning. They won’t know until next week exactly what kind of tumor it is, and they are prepping for surgery by next Sunday. We are starting this fundraiser so they can stay with their daughter in the hospital and help with any medical expenses and not have to stress about finances. This is something that no parent should have to deal with. Please keep Jaylene and her family in your prayers and help any way you can.