Help Jessica raise money

Please consider donating if you’re able — it would mean the world to my family. 💜

 I wanted to take a moment to share why I’m running and tell you a bit about Ayla’s journey. 

Ayla has always been such an active, curious, thrill-seeking little girl. But earlier this year, I started noticing changes — she wasn’t as engaged at home, resisted clothing changes, moved more slowly, and I thought I saw a limp. I brushed it off at first, but in February her limp became significant and we knew something wasn’t right.

 After an urgent pediatric visit, x-rays, bloodwork, and a trip to McMaster Children’s Hospital, Ayla was admitted for several nights. Following many tests (including a sedated MRI), we learned she had inflammation in multiple joints. Six weeks later, she was officially diagnosed with Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) — with 13 joints affected.

 Since then, Ayla has faced countless appointments, medications, and weekly injections at home. Watching her go through this has been heartbreaking, but she is truly the strongest little girl I know. 

The good news? Right now Ayla is in medicated remission with no active joint inflammation! 🙌 But because her treatment leaves her immunocompromised, we know this fall and winter will be challenging, and every illness could trigger a flare.

I’m running this 5K for Ayla, for every child living with JIA, and for families like ours who are navigating this difficult journey. 

Baby girl, I promise to be by your side through every injection, every appointment, and every hard day. You’ll never fight this alone 💜