In 2023, we learned that Braelynn was very ill. She experienced extreme fatigue, inflammation, and a loss of pigmentation in her skin and hair. Her condition quickly deteriorated, and after months of testing, she was diagnosed with two conditions:

(1) Takayasu Arteritis (TAK): a rare and serious form of large vessel vasculitis, causing renal stenosis, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The disease also damaged her carotid arteries, leaving one with complete occlusion.

(2) Haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20): a rare gene mutation responsible for causing the TAK and other complications. She is the only person in the world to be clinically diagnosed with TAK and HA20.

Both conditions, in tandem, cause problems with oxygen and blood flow. A full medical team including rheumatologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, immunologist, hematologist, nephrologist, heart failure specialist, and geneticist are actively involved in her case.

It was sobering to learn that Braelynn's condition is listed on the Make-A-Wish Foundation website, and TAK is terminal if not properly diagnosed and treated. She faces monthly IV infusions, a series of intensive prescriptions medicines, numerous appointments, and imaging. On a positive note, over winter break, we were assured that she will not need open heart surgery any time soon, and that her response to the treatments may mean that she will not need it at all.

She is very determined to function as normally as possible. She goes to school, takes AP and CCP classes, plays in the orchestra, and works part time. However, this is an incurable, long term disease, and we don’t fully know the implications. This is stressful for a teenager, for any person, and she has responded with a level of maturity that we genuinely admire.

We are really proud to support Make-A-Wish and their work in our community. Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. A wish gives children renewed energy and strength, brings families closer together and unites communities.  

Did you know that Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes around the world? That’s a lot, yes. But right now, for every wish that comes true, two more children with critical illnesses are waiting for theirs to be granted because Make-A-Wish lacks the necessary funding. We're fundraising for Make-A-Wish so that more deserving kids and their families can know the life-changing joy, renewal, strength and hope that a wish can bring.  

Life-changing wishes are only possible because of supporters like us. A wish can truly transform a child’s life, and we have the power to grant it. Please, donate now.

Will you help us support Make-A-Wish by donating today or joining our team today?