This fundraiser exists to support the financial needs of the Alvarez family to cover funeral expenses, medical bills, and other necessities after the sudden loss of their heart warrior, baby Lily Valeria.
A note from The Alvarez Family:
Lily Valeria is named for the lily of the valley. While the flower appears delicate, it is a force to be reckoned with. It is the essence of resilience, answered prayers, and miracles. For anyone who knew her, Lily's short life is validation that angels are here with us on earth, that they connect every version of our hearts to God (half, whole, and otherwise), and that our loved ones never truly leave us. Her physical time here may have ended, but her impact has not.
Trigger warning: Details about an infant in the PICU; losing a child
On March 31, 2025, at 9:27 a.m., Jakson, Tiffany, and their four-year-old, Aliana, met the newest addition to their family, baby Lily Valeria, a true miracle. A moment that was never promised.
At 20 weeks gestation, the family was told that Lily had a rare congenital heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Despite being advised to terminate the pregnancy, Jakson and Tiffany turned to their faith and community, believing in her purpose and willing to do anything to give baby Lily a chance.
Hundreds of loved ones around the world prayed for her and believed the same.
It wasn't promised that Lily would make it to full gestation. It wasn't promised that she would be able to breathe or cry when she was born. And it wasn't promised that she would survive a series of procedures and open-heart surgeries needed in the months following her birth. It also wasn't promised that she would ever go home with her family.
But faith is powerful.
Lily was brought into this world by some of the most renowned pediatric medical experts at UCLA, seven teams and more than 30 people in the delivery room, determined to give her a fighting chance.
Barely able to see her over the C-section curtain, Jakson and Tiffany heard the doctor say, "Happy Birthday, Lily!" And then their warrior let out her battle cry! But when the umbilical cord was cut, she went quiet. Her heart condition resulted in blood flowing into her lungs.
Lily was quickly intubated. Tiffany and Jakson had the chance to briefly touch her precious hand before she was rushed to the cath lab. They saw her again hours later, wearing full medical gowns, gloves, and masks. Not how most parents meet their newborn.
Few can say that they've seen their child's open chest and beating heart, which was both beatiful and terrifying.
While Jakson and Tiffany could not touch or care for their precious heart warrior how they may have wanted, they knew there was no alternative and that she was surrounded by an army of angels, near and far.
Over the course of 14 months, Lily defied the odds. She overcame being on life support (ECMO), having a pulmonary hypertension crisis, which nearly took her life, and three open-heart procedures.
After six months of the family living between home and hospital, Lily was discharged to go home!... and, to no one's surprise, she thrived.
She was known by family, friends, and medical staff as a living miracle. And many gathered for another unpromised milestone in March 2026 – her first birthday.
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Lily was famous for her wild hair, infectious smile, and a belly laugh that no one could replicate or ever forget. She traveled on a plane to Hawaii, embraced road trips short and long, absorbed the world around her, and LOVED, above all else, playing with her big sister Aliana. Her first word was dada, and she didn't hesitate to blow bubble kisses to mama.
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Lily probably experienced more in 14 months than many adults have the chance to do in a long lifetime.
On June 9, 2026, baby Lily suddenly passed away. Knowing that this was always a possibility doesn't make this experience any less difficult for Jakson, Tiffany, Aliana, nor anyone who has been and is a part of her journey.
The family emphasizes that there is no obligation to contribute to this fund. But they do request a few things:
Never stop smiling and laughing and playing like Lily.
Never stop believing in miracles.
And never stop embracing the present. No matter if you are on a hill, in a valley, or in between.
On behalf of the Alvarez family,
Thank you for being a part of Lily Valeria's journey, now and forever.
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