On 12/6/2025, our beloved Naia recieved a diagnosis of a type of Lymphoma called Burkitt's. She immediately began treatment at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Hospital Colorado.
Over the course of 4 months, Naia received 4 rounds chemotherapy to fight the cancer. Throughout her journey, she remained positive and committed to doing everything she could to help her body succeed.
On April 4th, we celebrated Naia being cancer-free!
Now that we're on this side of her recovery, we've had the chance to talk about the experience as a family and how it has changed us for the better. We gained new perspectives on problems and hardships, understand the importance of letting trivial annoyances go, and deepened our desire to show more grace to others in the world because you never know what someone is going through. We also want to give back to support other patients and families who are going through some of their toughest days.
A very tangible way to do that is by supporting the growth of the red light therapy program at Children's Colorado. Red light therapy has shown promise in preventing and treating oral mucositis, by decreasing inflammation, stimulating cellular activity and blood flow to accelerate the healing process, and overall enhancing the quality of life for patients. At the start of Naia's treatment, the hospital was waiting on approval for an in-patient red light system because is significantly helps with the painful mouth sores caused by some types of chemotherapy. Without access to the therapy at the hospital, we decided to purchase our own portable wand, and Naia was disciplined about its use. The red light therapy worked and helped Naia finish treatment nearly six weeks ahead of schedule.
As treatment was starting, we were told that the mouth sores are the worst part of chemo. Without red light therapy, most children are admitted to receive opiate pain killers and bags of IV hydration and nutrition while they recover for their next treatment. We want to help make sure that kids aren't dealing with more pain and more waiting.
Children's Hospital is looking for help to expand their red light therapy program both within our local hospital where Naia was treated and throughout their system of care. We are going to help finance their expansion by raising funds to purchase necessary equipment so the team can show proof of concept to establish a dedicated budget to provide this therapy to more patients.
The cost of this initial program is $100k and the fantastic news is that we have already raised $75k! Every dollar counts and there are multiple ways to give: Ways to Give - Children's Hospital Donations - Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation. And of course, your donation is 100% tax free and you will receive a donation receipt.
With your help, we can support other patients battling cancer, just like Naia. Let's work together to raise the remaining $25k by Naia's 13th birthday on August 30th! Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness!
With love and gratitude,
The Vail Family
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If you have questions, experience difficulty making your donation, or if would like to start a monthly gift, please email Tracy at tfaigin@childrenscoloradofoundation.org so she can help.
Donations by check can be made out to Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation. Please add "Vail Family Fundraiser" to the memo line and mail your donation to:
Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation
P.O. Box 5585
Denver, CO 80217-9142
