At Avalynn’s Hope Foundation, we’re honored to meet families whose courage and faith illuminate even the darkest days. The Stevens family reminds us that miracles often come in the smallest, strongest packages.
A Journey of Faith and Determination
When Amanda Stevens learned she was expecting twins, she imagined a joyful, if busy, household. Early in her pregnancy, however, she was told that one of her babies wasn’t growing properly. The placenta wasn’t functioning as it should, and baby Violett faced a 50-50 chance of survival. It was a moment that would test any parent’s strength.
Amanda chose to trust in faith and hope. She carried both twins as long as she could, holding tight to prayer and the belief that her daughter’s life, no matter the challenges, was meant for something greater.
Born at just 30 weeks and weighing a mere 1 pound, 3 ounces, Violett entered the world fragile but fierce. In those first days, the NICU became her battlefield. She faced sepsis, Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), and three surgeries that would challenge even the strongest adult. Through it all, this tiny warrior continued to fight.
Strength in the Face of Adversity
Today, at six months old, Violett weighs 8 pounds and continues to prove that the human spirit, no matter how small, can overcome the greatest obstacles. She’s lost 80% of her intestines and part of her colon, but her will to thrive is stronger than ever.
Her mother, Amanda, balances more than most could imagine. A single mom of four, she travels three hours each way to UC Davis to be by Violett’s side on weekends. At home, she cares for Violett’s twin brother, Greyson, their 4-year-old sister, Scarlett, and 2-year-old brother, Jasper. Her love is her compass, guiding her through exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty.
“The most powerful medicine is love,” Amanda says. Those words have become a reflection of her daily life, a testament to the way love heals, sustains, and inspires.
A Mother’s Wisdom
When asked what advice she’d offer other parents facing similar circumstances, Amanda doesn’t hesitate. “It’s okay to not be okay sometimes,” she says gently. “Babies are resilient.”
Her words speak to the quiet truth many parents of medically fragile children live with—the mix of hope and heartache that defines their days. There are moments of despair, but also moments of beauty and grace. Amanda leans on her faith, family, and community for strength. She prays often, trusting in God’s plan for her daughter and finding peace in the small victories that mark Violett’s journey.
Looking Ahead
Violett’s next surgery will focus on removing narrowing in her intestines so that, one day soon, she can process food on her own. For now, she remains on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), a method of receiving nutrients intravenously. It’s a delicate process, but Amanda and her medical team remain optimistic.
The Stevens family looks forward to the day they can welcome Violett home, hopefully by the end of the year. The thought of all four children together under one roof again keeps Amanda’s faith strong and her heart full.
A Community of Support
This summer, Avalynn’s Hope Foundation had the privilege of providing a grant to Amanda and her family. The financial and emotional challenges of having a medically fragile child are immense, and our goal was to help ease some of that burden so Amanda could focus on what matters most: her children.
Every donation to Avalynn’s Hope helps families like the Stevens face the unimaginable with a little more stability, a little more comfort, and a lot more love. Practical assistance can make an extraordinary difference. It means gas money for hospital trips, groceries for siblings waiting at home, or relief from the mounting costs that come with ongoing medical care.
To Amanda, every gesture of support has been a reminder that she and her family are not alone. “We’re so grateful,” she shares. “Violett is strength.”
Continuing the Light
Stories like Violett’s are the heartbeat of Avalynn’s Hope Foundation. They remind us why we serve and why we believe so deeply in the power of compassion. When families face overwhelming medical journeys, love steps in to lift them when hope feels out of reach.
By providing practical grants, emotional encouragement, and community connections, we help families rediscover strength in moments that might otherwise feel impossible. Each child we meet leaves a lasting mark on our hearts, teaching us that faith, resilience, and love can overcome even the greatest challenges.
As we follow Violett’s progress, we are reminded of the same spirit that inspired Avalynn’s Hope Foundation, the enduring love of a family determined to bring light from loss. Just as Avalynn’s memory continues to inspire kindness and courage, Violett’s journey reflects that same light in motion. Her story is not only one of survival but of purpose, showing us that even in adversity, beauty and strength can grow.
In every heartbeat, every breath, and every prayer whispered for her healing, there is the promise of something greater: hope renewed.
How You Can Help
When you support Avalynn’s Hope Foundation, you help families like the Stevens hold on to that hope. Your generosity becomes part of their story: the reason a mother can travel to her child’s hospital bedside, the reason a family can stay together through long recoveries, the reason love continues to heal.
If you’d like to join us in making a difference, we invite you to donate, volunteer, or apply for a grant at AvalynnsHope.org. Together, we can continue honoring Avalynn’s legacy by bringing light, comfort, and hope to families who need it most.
Because every child, like Violett, is a beacon of strength. And every act of love helps that light shine a little brighter.
