Daniel Falk and his family for medical bills.

Hi our names are April Cummings and Adriana Candelaria and we are fundraising for Daniel Falk and his family ♥️

In June 2021, our precious grandson Daniel, a mere 5 years old at the time, was struck by a grave illness that forever altered the fabric of our family's existence. Sierra View Hospital's repeated dismissal of his symptoms as a mere flu thrust him into a harrowing ordeal that no child should ever endure. Despite being sent home three times, Daniel's condition spiraled downward, culminating in a heart-wrenching moment as he bravely entered the ER only to collapse before our anguished eyes. Stripped of his ability to walk and robbed of his own memories, Daniel was thrust into a nightmare of unfathomable proportions.

The morning after, a colossal seizure shattered our world, catapulting Daniel into the compassionate care of Valley Children's Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. It was there that the cruel truth was revealed: Daniel was battling HSV encephalitis. For 28 excruciating days, our little warrior fought valiantly for his life, confronting the insidious virus with a courage beyond his tender years. Despite ultimately testing negative for the virus, the irreversible damage had been wrought, claiming the right front part of his precious brain and unleashing a life-altering stroke that left his left side weakened.

At just 5 years old, Daniel embarked on a grueling journey of relearning basic human functions—walking, talking, eating, drinking, and even potty training. His resilience and unwavering spirit brought him home, but our joy was short-lived. Within a week, his fragile body succumbed once more, plunging him back into the clutches of illness and suffering. This time, the diagnosis was no less cruel: anti-NMDAR encephalitis, an autoimmune disease that has relentlessly plagued him for two and a half years, exacerbating his seizures with each passing day.

Daniel's tenacious battle has been marked by a relentless array of medications and interventions, including the constant vigilance of a VNS monitor, yet the ceaseless onslaught of seizures persists. Complications stemming from the initial brain damage and the unyielding assault of his autoimmune disease have compounded his suffering, casting a shadow over his once vibrant existence.

This week alone, our beloved Daniel has weathered over 100 seizures, each one a cruel reminder of the relentless fight he faces. Desperate for a glimmer of hope, we have embarked on a journey to Stanford Neurology, where we fervently await his first appointment, clinging to the possibility of a breakthrough that could offer respite from this unyielding storm.

As an update Daniel has just been admitted to Valley Children's Hospital for an extended stay which unfortunately includes Christmas.

Our hearts ache with every seizure, every setback, and every moment stolen from our cherished grandson. We implore you to stand with us, to amplify our plea for awareness, understanding, and support. Daniel's unwavering courage deserves nothing less than our unyielding commitment to finding a path toward healing and restoration. Together, let us champion his cause, igniting a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.