For Drake Moose #34 - Dayton’s 13U Quarterback
 
 
 On September 12, our lives changed in a matter of seconds when my 13-year-old son, Drake, suffered a serious neck and head injury during a football game in Elko, Nevada. His doctors believe that contact with Drake’s face mask forced his neck into hyperflexion, causing him to fall and hit his head and resulting in a traumatic brain injury. After he was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Elko, imaging showed a fracture of the spinous process of his C7 cervical vertebra. Drake also experienced numbness and weakness in both upper extremities and his left leg. Because of the cervical spine fracture and neurologic symptoms, he was flown by Guardian Flight to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City for specialized pediatric trauma care. 
 
 
 As Drake continues to recover, the needs our family is facing will continue in the weeks and months ahead. Donations will help with ongoing travel to and from Utah, gas, meals, lodging when needed, recovery-related expenses, lost income when we need to be away from work for Drake’s care, and keeping our household stable during this difficult time. Funds will also help support Drake’s Lego fund, since he is limited to no more than 30 minutes of screen time each day while his brain heals, along with other at-home brain games recommended by his speech evaluator to support his recovery. The donations will help us plan for these continuing needs and give Drake the time, care, and stability he needs to heal. 
 
 
 There is also another opportunity to support local football families affected by serious injuries. The Dayton High School Booster Club will be accepting donations during Dayton Valley Days as part of a community fundraiser that was originally organized following Drake’s injury and has since expanded to include another young football player who was seriously injured the week before Drake. Our hearts are with that young man and his family as they navigate their own recovery. We are grateful to see our community come together for both of these boys. For anyone attending Dayton Valley Days who would like to support that effort in person, donations can be made there through the DHS Booster Club. Because that fundraiser is now supporting two families, we do not know how the proceeds will ultimately be divided. This GoFundMe is separate from the Booster Club fundraiser, and donations made here will go directly toward supporting Drake and the expenses our family is facing as a result of his injuries and continued recovery. We also want to give a special thank you to the Elko football community for immediately taking action to raise $300 in proceeds, no questions asked, right after Drake’s injury. Whether you choose to support Drake through this GoFundMe, contribute to the Booster Club’s community fundraiser, share his story, send him a message, or simply keep him in your prayers, we are deeply grateful. The support Drake has received since the moment he was injured has reminded us that he has an entire community standing behind him. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting Drake and our family through something we never imagined we would face. #DrakeStrong

Audrey Kessler

Daniel Delarosa

Anonymous

Elko 14U  Football Team

One Play Changed Everything Support Drake

Still $3,700 to go. Help us build momentum.