For more than four decades, a veteran television anchor and journalist has told stories of joy and heartbreak — but few have touched his heart like the story of Randa Ragland and her 10-year-old son, Jaxen.
Randa lives in public housing in Pinson, Alabama, raising her children while facing a nightmare no parent should ever endure. Her son Jaxen is autistic, non-verbal, and has been battling cancer for most of his young life.
Jaxen was diagnosed with stage-four neuroblastoma, a cancer that affects the adrenal glands. He relapsed in 2023 — and each time the disease has returned, it has been more aggressive.
Now, doctors have discovered new tumors on Jaxen’s spine and in his head. He is also suffering from interstitial lung disease. Scans scheduled for Friday will determine whether the cancer has spread to his organs — but his mother says there are no treatments left.
“I don’t see Jaxen making it to May,” Randa wrote through tears.
“I can just feel it. I don’t know how else to explain it.”
After nearly eight years of hospital stays, treatments, and heartbreaking losses of other children she met along the way, Randa says her son is tired — and so is the rest of the family.
She fears the cancer will again damage Jaxen’s eyes, something it has done in the past, and she prays only for comfort, peace, and that her son will not be afraid.
“I don’t understand God on this one,” she wrote. “I’m not sure how a parent tells their children how to say goodbye to their brother… or how a mother says goodbye to her child.”
The family is also struggling financially. Their car is broken, making it difficult to get Jaxen to Children’s of Alabama for care. Randa is also caring for another son with autism at home while facing the unimaginable.
Despite the darkness, she says one message of kindness reminded her she was not alone.
“Thank you for reaching out,” she wrote. “It gave me a little faith tonight. Maybe God does still hear me.”
The family is asking for prayers — and for those able, support through their GoFundMe to help with medical and living expenses as they walk through the hardest days of their lives.
Sometimes the only thing we can do is show up for a family who is losing everything — and remind them they are not walking alone. 💔🙏
