Help Jacob Smith Battle Cystic Fibrosis

Hi, my name is Megan and I am raising funds for Christy Bond and her son, Jacob Smith. Jacob is currently fighting for his life at INOVA CICU in Fairfax, VA. Jacob has been battling Cystic Fibrosis (CF) since he was two years old, and this life-threatening, relentless disease has severely affected his lungs, liver, and pancreas.

Cystic Fibrosis profoundly impacts Jacob's daily life. He relies on enzyme supplements to absorb nutrients from food and undergoes breathing treatments to help clear the mucus from his lungs. Unfortunately, he frequently battles severe lung infections, including pseudomonas, which significantly reduce his lung function and have led to multiple hospitalizations for recovery. Additionally, Jacob faces cirrhosis of the liver as a complication of CF. To manage his condition, he uses a High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) vest every day to help loosen and expel secretions from his chest. He also takes a variety of daily medications to address the numerous challenges posed by CF. Each year, Jacob undergoes two-week "tune-ups" in the hospital to help regain his strength and combat the ongoing struggles of this relentless disease.

Recently, Jacob’s condition worsened dramatically. On October 9, he was transported to Riverside Hospital with a critical oxygen level of 42% and nearly lost his life. He spent four days at Riverside before he was transported to Portsmouth Naval Hospital where he spent two days there, and again, almost lost his life. Jacob was then airlifted to INOVA, where he is currently on ECMO—a life support system that allows his lungs to rest while doctors fight a stubborn antibiotic-resistant lung infection. Jacob has also undergone a tracheotomy and is currently sedated as he battles for recovery.

With cirrhosis of the liver and significant lung damage, the medical team at INOVA has referred him to Duke University for a double transplant. This critical next step comes with extensive costs for treatment, travel, and recovery that Jacob's family cannot shoulder alone.

Despite the challenges he has faced his entire life, Jacob is dedicated to serving others and his community as an EMT with MMT Ambulance and as a volunteer firefighter with James City County. Jacob embodies resilience, but now he needs our help. His mom, Christy, is traveling from Yorktown to Fairfax to be by his side, but this means missing work and incurring hotel expenses. The funds raised will help cover medical expenses, travel and hotel costs, and provide much-needed support for Jacob, Christy, and their family during this difficult time.

If you know Christy, you know she is fiercely independent, strong-willed, and the very definition of a "Mama Bear." She has always been there for Jacob, advocating for him with unwavering strength. However, she would never ask for help herself, so I’m going to ask for her.

Watching a child hospitalized and fighting for their life—no matter their age—is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences a parent can endure. By donating, you can help alleviate some of the financial burdens the family is facing, and allow them to focus entirely on supporting and advocating for Jacob during this critical time. Your generosity, can make a profound difference, giving them the peace of mind they need to be there for Jacob.