Strong Like Lila: Support Her Myasthenia Gravis Recovery

As many of you know, Lila Hawks has been sick for more than 18 months. After various hospital stays and more tests and treatments than any person should have to endure, Lila has been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis – a rare, chronic, neuromuscular autoimmune disease.

Since early January, Lila has experienced multiple myasthenic crises, leaving her so weak she was unable to breathe, swallow, or move for long periods of time. She has been in the hospital at UCSF for over five months, three of which were spent in the ICU. She has not been home at all during this time. There are simply no words to describe how difficult this has been for Lila and the entire family.

Those of us who are lucky enough to have befriended the Hawks know what a special family this is. Kim and Kurt love all three of their children so fiercely and are kind and generous to the core. They are working around the clock to be at Lila’s side and consult with her medical team – all while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for their other two children, who are as busy as ever!

Recently, the Hawks received the fabulous news that Lila’s immunotherapies are beginning to work! She is scheduled to be discharged from the hospital in the next 1-2 weeks. Her recovery will include weekly infusions, regular visits with a team of specialists, and intensive physical rehabilitation to relearn how to walk. This incredibly brave young woman is fighting so hard to recover, and as a community, we need to rally behind her with all that we’ve got!

To support Lila’s healing journey, she will need various forms of care including medical equipment, in-home and outpatient physical rehabilitation, ongoing medical treatments for disease management, and home modifications while she works to regain full mobility. On top of her care, there are substantial medical bills from her extended hospitalization. Needless to say, all of these needs are incredibly costly.

Our community is coming together to raise $50,000 to help support Lila’s recovery at home, surrounded by her loving family and friends. We are so grateful for your support!