A happy childhood for Alaina despite uncertainty
Hope looks different for 7-year-old Alaina, who lives with an incurable heart condition—but it’s still there. “For the time that she does have, we want her to be as much of a child as she can be,” said her mom, Allie Evans.
A steady, compassionate guide, nurse navigator Eden Jackson, RN, MSN, has been a “godsend.” From surgeries to specialist visits, Eden has supported Alaina’s parents through complex care decisions while never losing sight of childhood joy.
“There’s no prescribed path for this,” Allie shared. “Once, I told Eden I felt like I was standing on a cliff, terrified of making the wrong decision. She told me, ‘You’ve never second-guessed yourself, and I believe you’ll make the right choice for Alaina.’ That meant everything.”
Born with an underdeveloped heart ventricle, Alaina has endured multiple surgeries. While her condition can’t be fixed, Eden continues to speak with hope. “Each child makes their own path,” she said. “Kids defy the odds every day.”
Living 90 minutes from her care team, the family relies on Eden to coordinate with local providers, navigate insurance calls and advocate for Alaina at school. Eden works behind the scenes so Allie and her husband can just be parents.
Today, Alaina is thriving. She dances, plays in the garden and radiates joy.
“Alaina is a very strong-willed girl, and we want to keep it that way. We keep her spicy,” says Allie. “Since day one, American Family Children’s Hospital has felt like home and like family, and Eden is a lifeline.”
Because of you, kids with complex conditions can thrive
You’ve provided a lifeline for families whose children have complex medical needs. With your support, we’ve hired nurse navigators to coordinate care between health care providers, untangle insurance challenges, advocate for children at school and link families to vital resources. That means parents can feel at ease, knowing that everyone in their child’s circle of care is informed and able to support their treatment and healing.
Who we are:
500+ pediatric RNs with UW Health Kids
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Nurse navigators support patients being treated for epilepsy, cancer, congenital heart defects and other complex conditions
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