Support Jett Armstrong's Fight Against Leigh Syndrome

On September 20, 2024, my sister, Molly, and her husband, Ross, welcomed their beautiful baby boy, Jett Allen Armstrong. Born a month early, Jett was a typical newborn—sleeping in short stretches, taking his time feeding, and crying when he needed something. However, as the weeks passed, Molly and Ross noticed he was struggling to gain weight and meet developmental milestones, like holding up his head.

Despite countless adjustments to his feedings and care, Jett’s weight remained a concern. Around the same time, Molly and Ross moved into their new home in Redmond, Oregon, excited to start this new chapter. When Jett was about three months old, the parents returned to work and Jett began daycare. Unfortunately, he developed a severe respiratory infection, which further impacted his feeding. His weight plummeted to the 0.4 percentile, leading to a five-day hospital stay where he received an NG (nasogastric) feeding tube and underwent extensive testing.

With both parents on leave to care for him, Jett began to gain weight and started physical and speech therapy. However, further blood work revealed consistently high lactic acid levels, raising concerns. Molly and Ross were sent to Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland to consult with a genetic specialist. They waited weeks for answers, holding onto hope.

Then came the devastating news: Jett was diagnosed with Leigh Syndrome, a rare and progressive mitochondrial disease that affects the nervous system. Tragically, there is no cure, and children with this condition often do not live past the age of two. Molly, unknowingly a carrier of the genetic mutation, had even undergone genetic testing during pregnancy, which had returned normal results.

Now, Molly and Ross are facing the unimaginable. Their days are filled with specialist appointments—neurology, cardiology, palliative care—while navigating life as full-time caregivers. They remain out of work to provide Jett with the love and care he needs during this precious time.

Our family is heartbroken but determined to support them in every way possible. I created this GoFundMe to rally around Molly, Ross, and Jett—whether through financial assistance, kind words, or simply sharing their story. Any donation, big or small, will help ease their burden, covering medical expenses, travel, and daily necessities as they focus on cherishing every moment with their son.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love and support.