Since March 2024, our family has faced an unimaginable journey. Just months after losing his father, Jayden was hospitalized, beginning a battle with Severe Aplastic Anemia. It all started on the Monday after his father’s birthday when Jayden entered the hospital with critically low platelet and hemoglobin levels. Despite being on the brink of death, he remained strong, only describing a sensation of wobbly legs.

For weeks, we endured a whirlwind of hospital stays, tests, and waiting, as we sought a match for Jayden’s bone marrow transplant. Fortunately, his brother Ethan stepped up, becoming his perfect match. Jayden underwent multiple transfusions and missed the rest of the school year, but we remained hopeful.

The journey to transplant day began with a week of chemotherapy, and on July 17, 2024, both boys had the procedure. While Ethan faced his own recovery, Jayden received the transplant that offered a chance at a new life. The days that followed were filled with anxious waiting, but to our astonishment, Jayden’s numbers began to rise just eight days post-transplant. 

Now, Jayden is home, but his journey is far from over. He requires ongoing care, with visits to the medical center twice a week. This miraculous story of resilience and hope continues, but we need your help to sustain it.

If you feel moved to rally around our family during this challenging time, please consider donating to COTA for Big Jayden. COTA funds will help with transplant-related expenses, such as medical expenses and Jayden’s ongoing recovery. Together, we can make a difference in Jayden’s life. Thank you for your kindness and support.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.