Saige was just beginning kindergarten when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Since then, the 6-year-old has faced frequent hospital visits, difficult medical procedures and intensive treatment, with her family by her side through each step.
Saige is the middle child in a close-knit family of five, with an older sister, Annora, and a younger brother, Luca. Her mother, Sydney, stays home to care for the children, while her father, Aundrey, owns and operates his own business and is the family’s sole source of income. Saige’s diagnosis has significantly affected the family’s financial stability, as frequent appointments and an unexpected hospitalization required Aundrey to reduce his work hours to support Saige and care for the family.
As the family adjusted to life shaped by treatment and uncertainty, the rising costs tied to Saige’s cancer care, combined with reduced income, created significant financial strain.
During this challenging time, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund supported Saige’s family by helping ease everyday pressures related to housing, utilities, transportation and food. This support allowed the family to focus on Saige’s care while staying connected and together through an incredibly demanding period.
Saige’s story reflects the reality many families face when a child’s diagnosis changes everything—and how steady support can help families navigate an uncertain path.
Watch Aundrey and Sydney’s interview with WJCT’s First Coast Connect
