Layla M.

Layla Rai Morales is 11 years old and radiates light, laughter, and boundless curiosity. She just finished 5th grade, where she excelled in math, science, and even writing computer code—using technology to bring her ideas to life. She’s a lover of music, from gospel melodies to the entire catalogs of Taylor Swift and Camila Cabello, and recently lived out a dream attending the Era’s Tour in Miami. Whether she’s adventuring outdoors, playing sports (just finished her first sleep-away softball camp sponsored by Nike a week before her diagnosis), reading her favorite books, or just being her creative, fearless self, Layla brings a unique joy and spark to everything she does and everyone she meets. 

The summer of 2025 was meant to be filled with new adventures and memories—a time to grow, explore, and continue building the confidence that makes Layla Rai so special. But on June 15th, our world was shattered. We received the heartbreaking news that Layla has been diagnosed with AML, a form of leukemia. In the face of something so heavy, Layla has already shown incredible courage, resilience, and grace. She continues to inspire us every moment with her quiet strength, and we remain in awe of her heart and spirit even through her most painful moments of treatment. 

As we begin this unexpected journey, Jess and I are holding tightly to love and prayer. We’re asking our community—our village—to surround Layla with all the encouragement, strength, and joy you can offer. Whether it’s a message, a video, a silly joke, or simply holding her in your thoughts, every bit of light helps.

Layla is ready to fight, and we believe with every fiber of our being—she will win.