Support Jayden's Fight for a Healthy Future

Hello, my name is Kathie. I’m AJ’s mom and Jayden’s grandmother. Many of you know that Jayden has been bravely battling a life-threatening illness called sickle cell disease since birth. His life has been marked by constant hospital visits, intense pain crises, and more recently, the development of chronic pain.

Tragically, Jayden’s condition has worsened. He’s now facing a rare and serious complication—Hypoxic Respiratory Failure—which means his lungs are unable to properly absorb oxygen. As a result, he’s only getting about 43% of the oxygen his body needs. Jayden has been hospitalized for nearly 9 months because he's simply too sick to come home. The incredible doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital have not yet found a solution to reverse the failure, and a lung transplant may be necessary.

But before a transplant can even be considered, Jayden must address the sickle cell disease, which is the root cause of complications. On May 16, 2025, Jayden will begin a stem cell transplant known as gene therapy—a treatment that brings hope but also carries high risk due to his fragile lung condition. The process involves intensive chemotherapy that will wipe out his immune system so his body can accept the new cells. It’s going to be an extremely difficult time, but this could be the cure we’ve long prayed for—a chance for Jayden to live a normal life. No more emergency room visits. No more endless hospital stays. Just the chance to be a kid again.

Naturally, the long hospital stay and the upcoming treatment have taken an emotional toll on the whole family. AJ has been splitting his time between work and the hospital, trying to be strong for his son while carrying the weight of mounting expenses. Wanting to be by Jayden’s side every step of the way, AJ is taking an extended time off from work to care for him. If everything goes well, he’ll be out of work for at least 3 months—possibly more if complications arise.

That’s why I’ve created this GoFundMe—to help ease the financial burden on their family so they can focus entirely on Jayden’s recovery. The funds raised will not only support everyday expenses while AJ is out of work, but also help provide Jayden with the things he needs to stay as comfortable as possible during his long hospital stay and intense treatment. We want to make sure Jayden feels supported and surrounded by love every step of the way.

With treatment beginning this week, time is short to prepare. We’re hoping to raise enough support to carry the family through this critical time. We are believing for healing, strength, and the day when Jayden can finally come home. We are beyond grateful for every prayer, every share, and every dollar. Our faith remains strong, and we believe God is walking with Jayden every step of the way. Thank you for supporting our family during this difficult journey.