Iris’s Fight for Life: A Five-Month-Old Warrior Named Hope.1808
At just five months old, Iris LaValle has already revealed herself to be a child of extraordinary strength.
She was born with a rare mitochondrial disease so unusual that it doesn’t even have a formal name, and from the very beginning, her young life has been filled with hospital stays, treatments, and challenges no baby should ever have to endure.
Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh has become almost a second home for her, a place where the beeping of machines replaces lullabies and where every small sign of progress feels like a victory.
For Iris’s parents, Casey and Amanda, these months have been a whirlwind of exhaustion and devotion, as they balance hospital life with the needs of their other two children, Owen, age seven, and Eliana, just two years old.
Amanda, a speech and language therapist, uses both her professional experience and her deep love as a mother to advocate for her daughter’s care.
She understands the complex medical language and can anticipate Iris’s needs in ways others cannot, but she also carries the weight of starting a new job and managing her household when she is away from the hospital.
The pressure on her shoulders is immense, yet her determination never falters.
Casey, a devoted father, pours himself into many roles—baseball coach, new business owner, husband, and caregiver.
He runs from the ballfield to the hospital, from work meetings to late-night vigils at Iris’s bedside.
He is doing everything he can to keep the family afloat financially while also making sure that Amanda never feels alone in this fight.
His presence is steady, his love unwavering.
Financial strain, however, is a constant shadow. Though Medicaid provides some relief, it cannot possibly cover the full scope of Iris’s care.
Travel costs to and from the hospital, countless meals eaten on the road, the endless refills of medications, and specialized feeding supplies all add up.
Medical bills grow larger with each passing week, and Casey and Amanda have sacrificed savings, sleep, and every ounce of energy to give Iris the care she needs.
And yet, despite the hardship, hope is what carries them forward. Iris herself is the living embodiment of that hope. Her middle name, Hope, is not just a word but a truth her family clings to daily.
Amanda describes her as having “third-child sass,” a spirited spark that shines even on the hardest days.
In the midst of machines and wires, Iris finds a way to show her personality, to remind everyone that she is still here, still fighting, still full of life.
Owen and Eliana are constant sources of joy and grounding. Owen, at just seven, already shows maturity beyond his years, helping where he can and comforting his parents when he senses their exhaustion.
Eliana, still so little, brings innocence and laughter, giving her baby sister kisses and lightening the heaviness of hospital days.
Together, the siblings create moments of normalcy that keep their parents’ hearts from breaking under the weight of uncertainty.
The LaValle family has always been known for their kindness and strength, qualities that now define them more than ever.
But even the strongest families need help. They cannot carry this journey alone. They need the love of their community, the support of friends and strangers, and the prayers of those willing to lift them up.
Every act of generosity—whether it is a prayer, a meal, a donation, or simply sharing their story—makes a difference.
Each contribution tells Casey and Amanda that they are not alone in this battle.
Each gesture gives Iris not just resources, but a community of people who believe in her, who believe in her fight, who believe in her future.
Iris’s journey is far from easy, and the road ahead is full of unknowns, but her story is not one of despair—it is one of courage.
She proves daily that even the smallest among us can carry a spirit strong enough to move mountains. She is more than her diagnosis.
She is a daughter, a sister, a symbol of love and light, and her resilience is inspiring everyone who knows her.
The LaValles continue walking this path with faith, with determination, and with the unwavering love they have for their children.
They invite all of us to join them, to pray for Iris, to support their family, and to hold onto hope alongside them.
Because with each act of kindness, the burden grows lighter, and the road ahead becomes just a little more bearable.
Please keep Iris in your prayers, remember her story, and if you are able, offer support to her family as they continue navigating this journey.
For Iris, every smile is a triumph, every breath a miracle, and every moment a chance to remind us all of the strength that comes from love and hope.
Jackson’s Fight: A One-Year-Old’s Battle Against Leukemia.1811
On August 29th, a family’s world was turned upside down. What began as just another ordinary day quickly became the darkest of their lives when doctors delivered the devastating news: their one-year-old baby, Jackson, had leukemia. In that single moment, the rhythm of family life was shattered. No parent is ever ready to hear those words, and no heart can ever truly prepare for the journey that follows.
Jackson, a bright-eyed baby who had only just begun exploring the world around him, suddenly found himself in a place no child should ever have to be: a hospital room. Within hours of his diagnosis, his small body was subjected to blood transfusions and his very first round of chemotherapy. The sight of their baby hooked up to IV lines, surrounded by machines, and enduring treatments far too harsh for someone so young, left his parents in disbelief. They wanted to scoop him up, protect him from everything, and make the nightmare disappear—but the fight had already begun.
The doctors have laid out a plan, one that stretches ahead for at least a year and a half. Jackson will spend a month in the hospital receiving treatment, then return home for just a week to rest, only to be readmitted again for another month of chemotherapy. This grueling cycle will continue until he reaches remission. It’s a roadmap that demands relentless strength from a little boy who has just learned to walk, and from parents who are still learning how to navigate life as a young family.
For Jackson’s mom and dad, every day since that diagnosis has been consumed with worry, prayers, and the overwhelming logistics of cancer treatment. His mother will have to leave her job in order to care for him full-time. It’s not a choice—it’s a necessity. Jackson needs her by his side during the long hospital stays, to comfort him when the side effects of chemotherapy leave him weak, and to be his constant advocate when doctors and nurses rush in with new information or decisions to be made. His father, meanwhile, will shoulder the weight of providing for the family financially while also being present at the hospital as much as possible. The balance is nearly impossible, but they refuse to let their son fight alone.
Cancer doesn’t just attack the body—it attacks every aspect of life. The financial burden is staggering. Hospital stays, treatments, medications, and endless medical bills pile up quickly. Add to that the cost of gas for daily commutes, meals eaten on the road, and the countless little expenses that come with practically living in a hospital for months at a time. And then there is the emotional toll: the missed milestones, the inability to plan for the future, and the constant fear of what tomorrow might bring.
And yet, in the middle of this storm, there is something stronger than fear—hope. Jackson has shown in just a few short weeks that he is a fighter. His little body, though fragile, is resilient. His eyes still search for his parents with trust, and his small fingers still curl around theirs as if to say, “I’m not giving up, so neither should you.” His spirit, though tested, remains unbroken.
The family is choosing to focus on what matters most: their precious baby boy. They know the road ahead will not be easy, but they are determined to walk it hand in hand, carrying Jackson through each painful procedure, each long night, and each uncertain step. They are clinging to the belief that remission is possible, that brighter days are ahead, and that one day, they will look back on this time as the fight that made their family stronger.
But they cannot do it alone. They need their community—friends, family, and even kind strangers—to walk beside them. They need prayers to lift them when exhaustion weighs heavy. They need words of encouragement to remind them that they are not alone in this battle. And yes, they need financial support to ease the burden so that they can focus all of their energy on what truly matters: Jackson’s healing.
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference. Each contribution helps cover medical bills, hospital expenses, and daily needs that don’t pause just because cancer has entered their lives. More importantly, every act of kindness sends a message: “You are not alone. We believe in Jackson. We believe in his fight. We believe in his future.”
The family has set up a website, berrystrong.org, where updates on Jackson’s journey are shared. It has become a place of connection, where people can follow his progress, celebrate his victories, and stand in solidarity through the setbacks. It is a reminder that hope is stronger when it is shared.
Jackson’s story is heartbreaking, but it is also inspiring. It reminds us that life is fragile, unpredictable, and precious. It calls us to action—not just to sympathize, but to step forward with compassion, generosity, and love. This one-year-old boy deserves every chance to grow up, to laugh, to run, and to live a full life free from hospital walls. His parents deserve to see him ring the bell of remission and step into a future they have been dreaming of since the day he was born.
So today, we ask you to stand with Jackson. Pray for him. Share his story. Support his family in whatever way you can. Because with every prayer, every message of love, and every contribution, the burden grows lighter, and the fight becomes just a little easier.
Jackson may be small, but his fight is mighty. And with his family by his side, and a community rallying behind him, there is every reason to believe that this little boy will overcome leukemia and grow into the life he deserves.
Please keep Jackson in your thoughts and prayers. Remember his name. Share his story. And believe with us that remission, healing, and hope are not just possible—they are on the horizon.
