Kenzuri Neylani Azizi Elliott was born in the United States 13 months ago when her mom was visiting family in Maryland from Jamaica. Azizi was found to have HLHS (hypoplastic left heart syndrome), a rare congenital heart defect in which the left ventricle, responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the body, is severely underdeveloped. This meant her right ventricle had to work twice as hard, taking on the job of both sides of her heart. From the very beginning, Azizi’s journey was filled with challenges and required significant, staged interventions. It was at the start of this journey that I was first blessed to be Azizi’s nurse, and I witnessed firsthand her incredible strength and spirit.


On November 4th Azizi went under one last time and was on her way to recovery, fighting as hard as she always has. Two days later she required CPR but was stabilized. One week after that she arrested again, this time requiring ECMO (heart-lung machine). Azizi sustained catastrophic and irreversible brain damage, and her family was forced to make one of the hardest decisions anyone could make. Eleven days later this sweet Angel returned to Heaven.


Azizi’s strength was a testament to the strength and courage of her family. The strength of her mother to trust her sister to act on her behalf when she couldn’t stay in the U.S. with her baby. The strength of that sister, Azizi’s incredible aunt, to take on one of the greatest responsibilities of her life. And the strength of her father as he waits patiently for the system to work so that he can be here to say one last goodbye to his baby girl.


This gift will help offset expenses incurred by the family for medical bills and funeral expenses, but most of all, it will ensure her family can be together as she is laid in her final resting place. The financial burden of these costs is heavy, and every bit of support will help Azizi’s family focus on healing and honoring her memory.


To know Azizi is to know love, strength, and perseverance. She was fierce and feisty, with the most infectious smile and a heart-melting laugh. No matter what battle she was fighting or how tired her little body became from the ongoing interventions, this sweet angel never gave up. So I am asking, please, if you are able, help me relieve some of the burden this sweet girl’s family is facing, and help me help them heal, together. Sweet girl, I hope you can hear us in Heaven. I hope you and your family know just what an impact your tiny little life has had on so many people. You brought so much love and light into this world, and while your time on Earth was brief, your purpose was great. Thank you, God, for the time we had with this borrowed angel.