Taylor's Battle against a Paraganglioma Tumor

Hi, we are Jeff & Suzy Devine, raising funds to help our friends, Taylor and Travis Dovey, with expenses related to a recent medical diagnosis.

Taylor and Travis came into our lives in July 2022 through the Prep for Marriage class we lead through our church, Christ Fellowship in Port St. Lucie. They have joined us and other couples in our Bible Study, Sisterhood and Crew groups. They are a wonderful couple, full of life and a heart for God.

Taylor and Travis met online and soon started their courtship, which led to a proposal and their eventual marriage as husband and wife on July 24, 2022. Taylor is a first-grade school teacher at Independence Classical Academy in Fort Pierce and was named Teacher of the Year. Travis completed his firefighter training in August and began his career as a firefighter in Palm Beach County. As most newlywed couples do, they started planning their future, signing a contract to purchase their first home, one with a big yard for their Goldendoodle Thor, their big baby. Life couldn’t have been better.

Then in November this year, Taylor started having some odd medical symptoms. Not too concerned, she made an appointment with her doctor, who decided it was best for her to have an MRI. Anxiously awaiting the results, Taylor and Travis received the worst possible news that Taylor has a very rare tumor in her head and neck region called a Paraganglioma tumor that affects only 2-8 people out of 1 million every year. This tumor is affecting Taylor’s central nervous system and causing the nerves on her right side to be paralyzed, as well as her vocal box and spinal column being affected by the tumor. Needless to say, they were shocked and deeply concerned about what this meant. As the doctors have progressed with their testing, it has become clear Taylor will need a very complex surgery that must take place away from their home in Port St. Lucie due to the technology and the expertise of the needed doctors who must be part of the surgical team. Thereafter there will be recuperation time and follow-up appointments and tests to monitor the healing process and any complications. Taylor will have to take a leave of absence from teaching during this time, and Travis will also take a leave to care for his wife and best friend.

Taylor and Travis have their families, their friends and their Church family encircling them with love and prayers, and we are praying and believing for miraculous healing and full recovery and know that the power of faith and prayer and knowing Jesus is standing in the middle of this circumstance with them will give them comfort and peace. We ask all who read this story to join us in prayer.

While the insurance will cover much of the medical, there are copays and deductibles, travel and lodging out of town for doctor visits, surgery and recuperation, as well as the costs of their normal household expenses like the bills, a new mortgage, utilities, food, etc., while they are out on medical leave. At the young age of 23 and 24, and just starting out in their lifetime together, this young couple hasn’t had the time to even prepare financially, let alone emotionally, for a life-altering event like this, and while they are reluctant to ask for help, they have a lot of friends and family who are rallying behind them and asking to let them help financially in this time of need.

So, this GoFundMe page is being set up for those who would like to come alongside Taylor and Travis and help out during this season of life in their story. Any funds donated will directly go into Taylor and Travis’s account.

Taylor and Travis are incredibly thankful for you taking the time to read their story and for you to have them in your hearts and in your prayers. We are all thankful for not only your donation but for your prayers that Taylor receives the miracle we are all praying for. They are strong and hopeful, but with you on their side, they are blessed and cannot thank you enough for your support.

God Bless each and every one of you.