💔 Update – June 15, 2024

This is one of the hardest updates I’ve had to write.

I truly wish I had better news to share, but unfortunately, this weekend has been incredibly difficult. Raelyn is continuing to decline, and in truth, she’s gotten significantly worse since being admitted. Her condition is more serious than we originally thought, and we are now facing some frightening possibilities.

While I continue to have complete trust in our Rochester team, after speaking with multiple medical professionals, we’ve made the decision to reach out to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for a second opinion. CHOP is highly specialized in lymphatic disorders, and Raelyn’s biggest complication continues to be a chyle leak. Despite weeks of treatment, her body has not begun to heal. Waiting for this to resolve on its own no longer feels like a safe option.

If CHOP accepts her case, we may be transported there. Even if she’s not transferred, we’re hopeful they can offer new insight or treatment suggestions. We’re doing everything we can to advocate for our girl and get her the care she needs — we are simply desperate for a solution.

Raelyn’s condition has worsened:

Her fluid output has tripled.

She is unable to tolerate any nutrition by mouth or through her g-tube.

She is now receiving all nutrition through IV.

She is weak, unable to walk for long, and visibly unwell.

What was once considered an “annoying complication” has now become dangerous and frightening. We are scared. Truly scared. And we’ve been at this for four months.

Please keep praying — and please, share her story. Add her to prayer lists, church intentions, and keep her close to your hearts. This is your permission to spread the word.

Ways You Can Help

Many of you have asked how you can help — and your generosity has sustained us through the last few months. But as we face the possibility of transferring to another state and with Tom potentially needing more time off work, we are once again facing financial strain.

If you are able, here are some ways you can help:

Donations to help cover gas, food, and travel, accomodations (especially if I need to fly separately).

Transportation at home as we only have one reliable vehicle.

Animal care, dog walking, home tasks. 

We are deeply grateful for our amazing neighbors and friends who have stepped up so many times — thank you. ❤️

And to all of you who have sent cards, messages, and gifts: THANK YOU. We may not have had the time or emotional strength to respond to each one personally, but please know they mean everything to us and bring light to our hardest days.

Raelyn lit up yesterday with a visit from dear friends and surprise packages in the mail. Those moments matter more than you know.

We are holding onto hope.

We are holding onto prayer.

And we are holding onto all of you — our village.

With love,

The Gordon Family

Update on Raelyn 💔🐣 4/16/25

We wanted to share an important update on sweet Raelyn. After undergoing her Fontan heart surgery, she has developed a complication called pleural effusion — fluid building up around her lungs — and has been readmitted to the hospital. She has already spent the past week under care, and it’s possible she will need to remain hospitalized through Easter.

This setback has been incredibly difficult for Raelyn and her entire family. Right now, the Gordon family is split between the hospital and home — with Heather staying at Raelyn’s side in the hospital in Rochester, and Tom back home caring for their other three children.

The emotional and financial toll continues to grow. Travel expenses, hospital stays, and time away from work are taking a heavy toll on a family already carrying so much.

We’re asking for your continued prayers, love, and — if you’re able — donations to help ease the burden during this challenging time. Every gift, big or small, brings comfort and support to a family fighting for their daughter’s recovery.

Thank you for walking this road with them. Your kindness and generosity truly mean more than words can express.

Please continue to keep Raelyn and the Gordon family in your prayers. 💗🙏

Imagine watching your child face four open-heart surgeries before their eighth birthday — this is the reality the Gordon family is living. Their sweet daughter, Raelyn, is preparing for yet another major procedure, and while her journey has been filled with challenges, her incredible strength and spirit continue to shine through.

Behind Raelyn’s bright smile is a difficult reality — she was born with a serious heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Without surgical intervention, her heart wouldn’t be able to keep up with her growth. This is a terminal illness with no cure, and the surgeries Raelyn has undergone — along with her upcoming one — are vital steps to extend her life. These procedures are intended to buy her time until she becomes eligible for a heart transplant, which will be her next step — hopefully not soon.

Raelyn’s upcoming surgery is called the Fontan procedure — a serious and complex operation designed to help her heart function better. While this is an important step in her journey, it isn’t a permanent fix. Eventually, Raelyn will need a heart transplant when this procedure is no longer enough. The risks are high, and the road ahead will be long and difficult, but if there's one thing we know about Raelyn, it's that she never gives up.

Raelyn is an extraordinary little girl with a heart full of love and a personality that leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets. She's social, outgoing, and makes friends wherever she goes — once you meet her, you’ll never forget her. Whether she's cracking jokes to brighten someone's day, playing with her dolls, or creating her next masterpiece with arts and crafts, Raelyn's joy is contagious. She loves playing restaurant, carefully writing down orders and serving her “customers” with pride. When she's feeling well enough, she treasures time outdoors, going camping with her family or strolling along the beach, eagerly searching for seashells to add to her growing collection.

Her parents, Heather Gordon (Holy Cross Alumni of 2003) and Thomas Gordon, will be traveling out of town to Strong Hospital in Rochester, NY, to be by her side during her surgery and recovery. This means Tom will be out of work, and Heather will be fully dedicated to Raelyn’s care. Meanwhile, their three other children, who attend Holy Cross Academy, will remain at home, balancing their routines and school life while their parents are away.

The emotional and financial toll on the Gordon family is overwhelming. Between medical expenses, travel costs, and daily needs, this season has placed a heavy burden on their shoulders. As their community, we have an opportunity to come together and offer our support — to ease their worries and remind them that they are not alone.

At Holy Cross Academy, we believe in the power of faith, family, and love. When one of us faces hardship, we come together to lift them up — and now is our chance to do just that.

Please keep Raelyn, her doctors, and her family in your prayers during this difficult time. Pray for strength, for comfort, and for healing. If you are able to give, know that your generosity will make a tremendous difference — helping to cover medical costs, travel expenses, and daily necessities so the Gordon family can focus entirely on what matters most: Raelyn’s recovery.

Raelyn’s journey is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from love, community, and unwavering faith. Together, we can stand beside the Gordons and give them the hope and support they need to face the road ahead.

Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your generosity. The Gordon family will feel your love with every step they take — and they will know they are never walking this path alone.