The Jones Family Story: Finding Light in the Darkness

When Elias Jones began getting sick over and over again in early 2023, his parents, Abigail and Elisha, never imagined the journey that lay ahead. At just 15 months old, Elias’s pediatrician noticed alarming lab results, a significantly elevated white blood cell count. They were immediately referred to Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH), where further evaluation revealed a large mass in Elias’s liver.

The family was transferred from the Woodlands campus to the TCH Medical Center location, where they met with a team of specialists who ruled out cancer but were concerned by the size of the mass. After extensive genetic testing, Elias was diagnosed with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), a rare, inherited immune disorder. A bone marrow transplant (BMT) was his only option for long-term survival.

“Elisha didn’t want to accept it at first,” Abigail shared. “He started researching other possible ways to help Elias. But eventually, we had to face that this was the only path forward.”

Soon after Elias’s diagnosis, Abigail underwent genetic testing and discovered she was a carrier of CGD. Around the same time, she also found out she was pregnant with their second son, Everett. He was born four weeks early and tested positive for CGD as well. The heartbreak of knowing that not just one, but two of their children would face this rare disease was overwhelming.

The Jones family’s first encounter with His Grace Foundation came shortly after arriving at the hospital. “We received a Welcome Basket and an Enrichment Activity on day one,” Elisha recalled. “Elias was ecstatic to get gifts; it made him so happy during such a scary time. He thought he’d get gifts every day!”

For Abigail, the support felt deeply personal. “It wasn’t just for the boys, it was for us too. There was a gift card for the parents, shampoo, conditioner… all the little things that made us feel seen. It was the first time someone had done something for us in this way, and it meant everything.”

They still remember a special enrichment activity that included two stuffed otters. “We’ve kept them,” Abigail said. “They weren’t tied to a holiday or special event; they were just a simple act of kindness, and the boys loved them.”

During their inpatient stay, weekly meals became a lifeline. With Elisha in one hospital room and Abigail in another, the consistent care provided by HGF, hot meals, snacks, and thoughtful gestures, was a comfort during a deeply stressful time. “I’d always text Elisha to make sure he grabbed my meal if I wasn’t there,” Abigail laughed. “It wasn’t just food, it was someone thinking about us as parents.”

Now in the outpatient phase of treatment, their routines have shifted. Elisha travels 2 to 3 hours each way for work while Abigail stays in Houston, caring for all three of their sons, including Asa, their eldest, who was the donor and hero for his younger brother Everett.

“It’s not easy,” Elisha shared. “Waking up at 6 a.m., working ten-hour shifts, and knowing my wife is handling everything at home, it’s so hard. But I know she’s doing an amazing job.”

If they could speak directly to a family just starting their own BMT journey, Abigail said through tears, “Nothing can really prepare you. It’s so hard watching your kids go through this. But look for the blessings, they are there every day. Whether it’s the support from HGF, the nurses, or just a small moment of joy, these things become everything.”

Elisha added, “It’s like a double-sided coin. One side is really hard, emotionally, physically, and financially. But the other side is full of blessings. Seeing our kids light up when HGF knocks on the door with an Enrichment Activity or a hot meal brings hope. That brings life. It reminds us that we’re not walking this alone.”

To the donors and volunteers who make His Grace Foundation’s work possible, the Jones family has a message:

“Thank you. Every meal, every toy, every prayer, it all matters more than you can imagine. His Grace Foundation has been our lifeline, and we truly could not have made it through this journey without your love and support. You have made us feel seen, heard, and cared for. What you do matters, deeply and eternally. God bless you.”