Help Support Jessie, Cynthia, Aziel & Baby Arli + Raise Awareness for Infant Botulism
Hi everyone,
We’re reaching out on behalf of Jessie and Cynthia, whose 5-month-old daughter, Arli, is bravely recovering from Infant Botulism at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
What began as a frightening and mysterious illness turned out to be a rare diagnosis: Infant Botulism—a condition most commonly caused by inhaling naturally occurring spores from disturbed soil, often in areas with recent construction or excavation. Doctors believe Arli most likely inhaled spores somewhere around the Wenatchee area, though it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly where.
This is a reminder to all parents with babies under 1 to be extra cautious near construction sites, dust, and freshly disturbed deep soil—especially on windy days. Awareness alone could help prevent another family from going through what this one is enduring.
Arli is a fighter. She’s making progress, but the botulism has made her so weak that she’s still working on regaining enough strength in her lungs and diaphragm to breathe on her own without a ventilator. It’s been a long, scary road—but there’s hope.
Her parents, Jessie and Cynthia, haven’t left her side. Jessie has been out of work for over three weeks now to stay at the hospital with Arli, while their 4-year-old son Aziel is back home missing his family.
This fundraiser was created to give them relief from financial stress, help cover lost wages, meals, travel, and living expenses, and allow them to focus entirely on Arli’s recovery and being together again as a family.
If you’re able to donate—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Even a share or a prayer means so much.
Let’s lift up this beautiful family and spread awareness in the process.
With gratitude,
#TeamArli
