Hello family, friends, and friendly readers,

My name is Sili. With a heavy heart, I am sharing this story on behalf of my beloved sister-in-law Gwendolyn, her husband Joe, and their treasured son Azaiah. It has been a heart wrenching journey for my in-laws, and I only wish to humbly seek help for the sorrowful circumstances they are currently going through.

 

Our baby nephew Azaiah is just five months old, but his short life has already been filled with unimaginable challenges. At only three months old, he was admitted to the primary children's hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, and for the past two months, he has remained there with no signs of improvement. Despite undergoing three surgeries at only five months old, his condition has sadly worsened, and the doctors have told us that parts of his brain are no longer functioning. Due to infections in his brain, he is now partially blind and deaf.

Now, my sister-in-law Gwendolyn and her husband Joe are facing the most difficult decision any parent could imagine—whether to continue life support for their precious son.

Our family is deeply heartbroken. The weight of this situation has brought a deep sadness to each of us, and it is devastating to watch my sister-in-law and her husband endure such pain. They have hardly seen their firstborn son, Joseph, ever since their son Azaiah has been in the hospital. Joseph is being lovingly cared for by my other sisters-in-law, Adrienn and Tuti, which has been a meaningful blessing, but the separation has added another layer of heartbreak as they try to balance caring for their critically ill baby and missing precious moments with their older child. On top of the emotional toll, my sister-in-law's husband has had to take FMLA from work. While his job is protected, there is no pay during this time, which has added significant financial stress to an already overwhelming situation. We want to do everything we can to support them and honor my nephew's life, no matter how brief it may be.

We are raising funds to help with his end-of-life care, to bring him back home to the motherland (American Samoa) for a proper burial, and to support his parents as they navigate this unimaginable loss and the financial burdens that come with it. Any support—whether through donations, prayers, or simply sharing our story—means the world to us. Thank you for standing with our family during this incredibly difficult time. All proceeds will go to my beloved sister-in-law and her husband.

We do not question our Heavenly Father's will or plan for our dear nephew Azaiah. Our Heavenly Father is an almighty God, an infinite being and in Him we trust, ALWAYS. 

We also want to take the time to thank the amazing medical team at the primary children’s hospital. All health professionals have shown nothing but support and compassion to my sister-in-law, her husband, and their son Azaiah. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!

If you made it thus far, thank you for taking the time out of your day to read our baby nephew Azaiah's story. Your donations, shares, and prayers are all truly appreciated. May Our Heavenly Father bless you!