In August 2016, 2-year-old Grayson Dunham was a lively, healthy toddler enjoying summer with his parents, Kayla and Brent. But one morning, he woke up vomiting with diarrhea — what seemed like a simple stomach bug quickly spiraled into a medical emergency.

Over the next few days, Grayson’s condition worsened. Despite five medical visits and multiple misdiagnoses, doctors failed to catch the real issue in time. By the time they identified Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) — a rare, serious complication of E. coli infection — Grayson’s kidneys were failing, and his body was shutting down.

On August 15, just five days after his first symptoms, Grayson passed away.

HUS often mimics a stomach virus at first, with symptoms like vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain. But it can turn fatal quickly without aggressive treatment. Grayson’s case was a heartbreaking reminder of how fast a child’s health can decline — and how critical it is to push for answers when something feels wrong.

Kayla now shares Grayson’s story to warn others: trust your instincts, ask for tests, and never hesitate to advocate for your child. In her words, “Please share the story of my sweet baby boy. He will never be forgotten.”