At 15 years old, Kayden is our very first kid member of our Purple Playas Advisory Team. We are incredibly proud to have her join us. Her voice and perspective will be an amazing addition to our team. She is an avid volleyball player and while it is great that she has a passion that keeps her body moving, the fatigue it causes is a constant battle.

You see, Kayden is not fighting just one chronic illness, but many. At two-years-old she was diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency. She later was diagnosed with juvenile psoriatic arthritis (age 4), gastroparesis (age 9), and POTS/dysautonomia (age 12).

Kayden shared, “It made it possible for me to see myself as a person with a lot of strength who can get through anything with trust in God.” And she has advice for others battling, “Don’t let it define you. Be who you are and make sure you embrace everything you have and know you can get through anything.”

She likes to give to others and to show others how to be their best person. In fact, her friends and family have joined her in rallying around kids in need. One year, for her birthday, she had a shoe party where everyone brought shoes to donate to children who needed them. Another time, she collected toys and items for child life specialists to use with kids in the hospital because she knows how important it is to spread joy and smiles to kids who are struggling.

We are thrilled to have this “chronically caring kid” join our mission. She believes, “It is important to let people know what they mean to the world.” We are so grateful that she is sharing her caring heart with many children and us!