You Helped Jayce ‘Just Keep Swimming’

Doctors and nurses often knocked on baby Jayce’s door in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. But today was special—every visitor was beaming! 

The first knock came from child life specialist Christine Tao, MS, CCLS. She was tugging a cheerful bouquet of fish-shaped balloons behind her. There was so much to celebrate! 

Jayce was finally being discharged. He was about to experience life outside of the hospital for the first time, a milestone his parents weren’t sure would ever come. 

Jayce’s mom, Elani, was 20 weeks pregnant when she went in for a routine ultrasound in her hometown of Kapolei, Hawaii. Her doctors noticed that the left side of Jayce’s heart was not developing properly and diagnosed him with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Elani’s pregnancy would need to be monitored closely, and Jayce would need multiple heart surgeries soon after birth to survive. 

Jayce’s and Elani’s needs were more than their local care team could provide. The family was referred to Packard Children’s and the world-renowned pediatric cardiac surgery program at the Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center. 

Supported Every Step of the Way 

Elani traveled to Palo Alto and stayed in the hospital’s antepartum unit for monitoring during the final month of her high-risk pregnancy. “I was scared. They helped me calm down and feel reassured that they had my back,” she remembers. 

After he was born, Jayce spent a few brief moments in Elani’s arms before being rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Two days later, he underwent his first open-heart surgery. 

‘Just Keep Swimming’ 

Jayce remained at Packard Children’s for the first six months of his life. Elani stayed with him, thousands of miles away from her family, job, and support system. Thankfully, the wraparound support at Packard Children’s—made possible thanks to donors like you—helped her cope. 

In darker moments, Elani found comfort in the green spaces throughout the hospital, thoughtfully designed with donor support to give patients and their families access to the healing power of nature. She leaned on the compassionate team at Packard Children’s, including chaplains and therapists. Her social worker helped provide essentials like groceries that accommodated Elani’s food allergies. 

Child life specialists are another critical part of each child’s care team. Throughout 

Packard Children’s, they partner with families to support patients of all ages. From helping young children understand their diagnoses with medical play dolls to providing teens with therapeutic art activities, they combine evidence-based techniques and tools with compassion and personalized care. 

“What the donors are giving really helps, because parents like me are able to be there for our child and not worry about other things like meals and transportation.” – Elani, Jayce’s mom 

Christine, Jayce’s child life specialist, was a source of joy and distraction. She brought toys and books to support Jayce’s mental, physical, and emotional development during his lengthy admission. “Jayce loved the movie ‘Finding Nemo,’ and often had it playing in his room,” Christine remembers. She found him a Nemo-themed baby bouncer, and helped the family adopt the film’s popular motto: “Just keep swimming!” 

“Jayce had moments where he was getting close to discharge, but something would happen that caused him to take a few steps back,” Christine remembers. “I wanted to remind his family to take things one day at a time and not give up.” 

A Joyful Parade 

Finally, Jayce’s long-awaited Discharge Day arrived. As the family walked out of the hospital, their care team lined the hallway, cheering and shaking pompoms. “Just keep swimming!” they all exclaimed. 

Jayce will need one more heart surgery when he is a toddler. Elani feels comfort knowing that they are lifetime members of the Packard Children’s family. The Heart Center team—and donors like you—will continue to support him as he grows and develops. 

Want to Help More Kids Like Jayce? 

We rely on generous supporters to wrap families in physical, mental, and emotional support. To make a difference, scan the QR code or visit: LPFCH.org/ChildrensFund.