When Stephanie Jones’s son, Myles Jaxon Jones, passed away, she faced the unimaginable pain of losing a child. Despite her sorrow, she found a profound purpose.
Inspired by his impactful life, Stephanie and her family would channel this heartbreak into action, rallying friends, family and even strangers to provide donations for NICUs.
Today, her son’s memory continues to inspire life-saving donations, giving other newborns a fighting chance—and proving that even in the darkest times, love has the power to create change.
Jones, a Pharmacy Technician instructor, said her son, Myles was born on December 9 with a condition called Edwards’ syndrome, also known as Trisomy 18. Trisomy 18 is a condition that causes severe developmental delays due to an extra chromosome 18. The Jones family would spend one month at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson MS, before transferring to a children’s hospital in Omaha, Nebraska for two months, where Myles had open-heart surgery.
Jones said the hospital staff, “were fantastic. They were nurturing, prayed over us, felt what you felt and cared for your child like their own…they became like family to us.”
Baby Myles Jones’s memory does not go unforgotten for a second.
“The memory of Myles has touched a lot of lives…I’ve met people who tell me how his life has changed their lives, whether it be faith or inspiring them to help others,” said Jones.
Through Baby Myles’s journey, Jones and her husband were inspired to start donation drives for NICUs and for the Ronald McDonald House.
“While my husband and I were staying in Ronald McDonald house… we were given gifts such as books or ornaments, just letting us know people were praying for us and thinking of us during our time,” she said.
These little gestures led the Jones family to start “paying it forward,” letting others know there is hope and that these families are being prayed over.
Myles’s legacy is not defined by the length of his life, but by the lasting impact. He continues to inspire others to show kindness, to give back and to believe that there’s always hope, no matter how hard things get.
Jones is currently conducting her annual drive in memory of Myles, who will soon celebrate his heavenly birthday. Essential materials the NICU are looking for include preemie onesies with footies, soothing toys, books, blankets and arts and crafts materials.
Anyone who would like to donate items can contact Stephanie Jones at stephanie.jones@jcjc.edu.
by Jayla Jones
