Ariah’s Miracle: A Journey of Faith, Strength, and Healing

When Lisa found out she was expecting her first baby, she described her pregnancy as calm and joyful, aside from a few clumsy tumbles that would later remind her just how strong both she and her baby truly were.

At 34 weeks, after several days of leaking amniotic fluid, Lisa learned that her water had ruptured and she would need to deliver early. Her daughter, Ariah, was born on January 10, 2025, six weeks ahead of schedule. Despite a stay in the NICU, Ariah was a fighter from the very beginning.

Just a couple of months later, Lisa noticed something was wrong. Ariah developed a fever after her vaccines that wouldn’t go away, and soon, a full-body rash appeared. After several visits to the hospital, doctors delivered a diagnosis that would change their world: Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). This rare, life-threatening immune disorder would require chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

“When they told me she would need a transplant, I was terrified,” Lisa recalls. “I had never heard of HLH, and everything I read online was so scary. But once we arrived at Texas Children’s Hospital, we felt peace knowing she was in the best hands.”

Lisa and Gilbert left their home, families, and routines behind to come to Houston for Ariah’s treatment. Lisa’s mom joined to help, and faith became their anchor.

“Before we came, I was in a dark place. I prayed and asked God for peace, and since that day, I haven’t cried. I just knew He was with us.”

Ariah received her bone marrow transplant on October 1, 2025, from a female donor in Germany, a perfect match. “She did amazing,” Lisa says. “She never stopped eating, never got mucositis, and has continued to do so well. She’s our little miracle.”

During their stay in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, the Montañez family was introduced to His Grace Foundation through another mom.

“When we got our welcome basket, I was shocked, it wasn’t just for Ariah, but for us too. It made me feel seen,” Lisa said. “The meals you provide, the visits, the kindness, it all means so much when you’ve left everything behind. You don’t realize how expensive and hard this can be until you’re living it.”

Lisa expressed deep gratitude to His Grace Foundation’s supporters:

“Your generosity means more than you’ll ever know. You’re helping families you’ve never met, funding someone’s life, someone’s hope. That’s beautiful.”

As Ariah continues to recover and grow stronger, Lisa hopes her story brings comfort to other moms just beginning their journey:

“Don’t be afraid. You’re in the best hands, surrounded by people who truly care. Take it one day at a time, and never lose faith; miracles happen here every single day.”