Keep Calm & Help Ethan Fight HLH

Scarlet Victoria Ventura Kim is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Leonardo Rimando.

Donation protected

At the end of April 2017, while most high school freshmen were worried about finals, learning to drive, and making plans for the summer, Ethan Rimando was diagnosed with HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis) after a week of fighting an extremely high fever, pain throughout his body, and a terrible cough.

What was first thought to be a viral infection, turned out to be much more than the Rimando family could have ever imagined. Ethan was finally admitted to the Children's Hospital on April 28th. There, we found that Ethan had an enlarged spleen. As far as labs go, his white blood cells as well as his platelets were very low and his ferritin levels, triglycerides, and liver enzymes were high.

HLH is a life-threatening immunodeficiency. HLH does not discriminate, and affects people of all ages and of all races throughout the world. Per the Histiocytosis Association, HLH is rare and is estimated to occur in 1.2 cases per million. To put it simply, Ethan's immune system has become overstimulated and over activated. When this happens, the immune system begins to damage the body's own tissues and organs. One key to treating HLH is early diagnosis and treatment. Shortly after his admission to the hospital, thanks to his amazing doctors (and a lot of prayers), he quickly received his diagnosis of HLH.

In some ways, HLH is like cancer. It is treated by hematologists with chemotherapy and steroids to try to "quiet" his immune system response, but it is not cancer. Ethan and his family have been given a game plan to help him fight HLH. This game plan is filled with 40 weeks of chemotherapy, steroid treatment, a potential bone marrow transplant, and a host of other drugs.

In what feels like a lifetime, words cannot begin to explain how incredibly hard it's been for his family and loved ones to see Ethan struggle in the way that he has. He was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) shortly after his admission to the hospital due to his deteriorating status. Ethan started his first round of chemotherapy on April 30th. Since Ethan has a decreased ability to fight infections now, precautions (gowns, masks, and gloves) are in place to prevent him from getting sicker.
Ethan is weak and cannot physically stand on his own. He is in pain often and is taking medicine to help, but the Rimando family is staying positive. Ethan is an incredibly talented and kind 15-year-old who dedicates his time and effort to academic excellence, tennis, swimming, spending time with his friends, being a part of the Mount de Sales Troubadours, and above all, serving the Lord. Ethan is living proof of a kind and loving God. Ethan's (and his family's) strength to continue to fight this hard battle can only come from Him.

Many people have already asked us how they can help and these offers have been deeply appreciated. Please, help us #StandWithEthan in the times that he struggles to stand on his own. Any help that you can offer will go a very long way, as we are hoping to offset some of the financial expenses that come with such long-term therapy for Ethan, and also for those expenses that are not covered by insurance. All donations will go directly to the Rimando family for medical expenses. Most importantly, we also ask for your continued prayers for him at this time. We absolutely believe that your prayers have been heard!

We, along with the Rimando family, all thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the prayers, generosity, support, and outpouring of love in these past few days. They do not know what they would have done without so much support from so many people who love them. While this will be a long journey for them, we know that with God, all things are possible.