Hi everyone,

I've never set up a GoFundMe before, and asking for help isn't something I take lightly—but right now, my sister and her family truly need it.

My sister, Natashia, has dedicated her entire life to the care and well-being of my nephew, Kenny. From the moment he was born, it was clear that his journey would be anything but easy. At just 6 weeks old, Kenny underwent open-heart surgery -a battle no baby should have to face, but one that was necessary for him to survive. This was just the beginning of a long road that would challenge Natashia's strength, resilience, and love in ways many of us cannot even imagine.

For years, my sister put aside her career as a full-time engineer to be there for Kenny every single day. She chose to give up her professional ambitions to become his full-time caregiver, dedicating herself to ensuring he got the medical attention and therapy he needed to thrive. From countless doctor's appointments, therapies, and procedures, to navigating the complexities of his severe autism, Natashia has worked tirelessly to provide him with the best care possible.

Despite the challenges, Natashia never gave up. She learned the intricacies of Kenny's medical needs, understood his behaviors, and advocated relentlessly for him. Her life became a whirlwind of appointments, hospital visits, and sleepless nights, but through it all, her love for him never wavered. She became his strongest advocate, his protector, his voice when he couldn’t speak, and the one person who could always be relied upon to ensure he had what he needed to feel safe and cared for.

My nephew has severe disabilities, specifically a rare genetic disorder, Lamb-Shaffer Syndrome, and profound autism. Over the past few weeks, his health has taken a serious turn. Last week, he was admitted to Randall Children's Hospital PICU in Oregon for four days, and due to the complexity of his condition, he was then transferred overnight to Seattle Children's Hospital, where he is expected to remain for the next three weeks.

As you can imagine, this has taken an immense emotional and financial toll on my sister and her family. The costs for medical care, travel, lodging, and missing work are adding up quickly, and the future remains uncertain. But it’s not just the financial burden—it's the mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion that comes with caring for a child who needs 24/7 support, which is exactly what my sister Natashia, her husband and daughter have dedicated life to providing.

If you know Natashia, you know she is one of the most selfless and loving mothers you could ever meet. She put aside her career as an engineer to give Kenny the best possible care. Every day for the past several years, she’s fought for his health, his happiness, and his future, never once asking for anything in return. She has poured herself into being Kenny's advocate and primary caregiver, learning everything she can about his condition and making sure he gets the treatment and support he needs. Her husband, Ken, has also had to step back from his engineering career at times to help care for Kenny, making huge sacrifices for their son’s well-being.

But now, as they face this new crisis, my sister and her family needs our help. She's not one to ask for assistance, but the reality is that the strain on her and her family is immense. So, I’m reaching out on their behalf. Any contribution—whether it’s to help cover medical expenses, travel costs, lodging, or just to ease some of the stress—would mean more than words can express. The family is also facing long-term care decisions that will require substantial financial support as they continue to navigate Kenny’s 24/7 care needs.

If you're unable to donate, we completely understand, and just sharing this fundraiser would help more than you know. Most of all, we appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and support for my nephew and our family during this difficult time.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️

Love, Tierra