Blaze endured aggressive chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. Sadly, Blaze passed away at 13 months old. 

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During this time, I was able to stay with my baby boy, able to be a mom, able to sleep in the hospital bed with him nightly not missing a precious moment of time with him. Blaze was never left alone and I was always by his side. I was able to be there for him. This wasn’t the case for many parents. My community, family, and friends banned together to ensure provisions for my son and I were met and I am forever grateful. Donations were made, fundraisers were held, even jars collecting funds were on the counters of convenience stores throughout Sarasota. All of this was done to help meet our needs. This was organized and orchestrated by loving people, people just like you. It was people who cared enough to help... even people we didn't know. The compassion, love, support, and prayers gave me hope in my greatest time of need. 

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While I was at the hospital, I saw other families desperately in need of hope of their own. Not only were they struggling with the unexplainable sadness and pain involved, but they were also struggling to meet their personal financial responsibilities. These people chose their child instead of their mortgage payment; a choice no parent should have to make. Families were torn apart because of hard choices and no resources to help them.