Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted members of our community,

I’m reaching out today with a heavy heart to ask for your support for an amazing family, my dear friends, Sara and her son, David.

David, who has brightened so many lives with his spirit, was recently rushed to the hospital after enduring over an hour of relentless seizures. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, they could not stop the seizures, and David had to be placed on a ventilator, heavily sedated, and closely monitored.

After several days, David showed signs of stabilizing, and the ventilator was removed. However, he aspirated vomit during extubation, leading to pneumonia and a dangerous drop in oxygen levels. He’s now back on a ventilator, battling pneumonia and facing the frightening possibility of lung failure.

What has made this journey even harder for David is how his autism and sensory sensitivities have affected his ability to cope in the hospital. When he was off the ventilator and awake, the constant medical interventions, unfamiliar environment, and overwhelming stimuli left him scared and distressed. His sensory overload made it incredibly difficult for him to tolerate necessary care, so much so that at times he had to be restrained for his own safety, something no child should have to endure.

David has since been transferred to the specialized care of Mount Sinai’s Children’s Hospital in NYC, where he continues to fight for his life.

I have known Sara and David for over 10 years. David is the light of Sara’s life. As a single, hardworking mother, Sara has always done everything in her power to give David the best. But right now, she’s facing the unimaginable: watching her son fight for his life while being unable to work and overwhelmed by mounting expenses such as hospital bills, transportation, and the cost of living during this time of crisis.

I am asking you, our friends, families, neighbors, and community to come together to lift this family up. Every donation, big or small, will help ease the burden so Sara can focus on what matters most: being there for David. Even if you can’t give, sharing this fundraiser can make a world of difference.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your generosity. Together, let’s help bring David the comfort, care, and hope he needs on his journey to recovery.

With love and gratitude,

Kimberly M. Laverty