Update Jan. 9:

Alek has been discharged from the hospital. He will be starting vestibular therapy to help with the dizziness and balance issues.

Update Jan. 8:

Alek is still at Primary Children’s. The doctors have been running more tests and are hoping to avoid surgery. They are trying other treatments before they resort to surgery.

Update Jan. 7:

The flight was rough, but Alek made it to Utah and has been reunited with his family. He has been checked into Primary Children's. They are running more tests and possibly another MRI.

Update Jan. 6:

Alek is getting released! He's headed home on the first flight out tomorrow morning!

They are allowing him to go home to get the care he needs to pinpoint exactly how bad it is and how to help his vision and balance issue.

Update Jan. 5:

Doctors have confirmed that Alek will need to have brain surgery on the Chiari 1. The care team is working on arrangements to get him home to have the surgery at Primary Children's Hospital. They are assessing whether air travel is safe or if ground transportation will be required.

Alek is doing well and is in good spirits.

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While traveling with his Utah Avalanche soccer team to Florida for a college showcase, Alek started to experience severe dizziness and blurred vision. When it didn't go away, he was taken to the ER. After a CT scan, he was sent by ambulance to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital for further testing. He was admitted into the ICU and underwent an MRI and they have discovered that he has Chiari 1.

While it is still early and the required medical attention is still unknown, the medical bills are racking up and his family does not have the means to cover the ever growing costs.

Some of the costs that have already been incurred include:

    •    ER visit

    •    Non refundable flight that SOUTHWEST AIRLINES refuses to refund or provide credit for.

    •    CT scan

    •    Ambulance ride

    •    MRI

    •    Ongoing daily ICU costs

Anyone who knows Alek knows that he always has a smile on his face and exudes kindness and joy. He has been voted captain of his soccer team every year since he joined this team. He is a great leader and is known for his positivity and support for his teammates.

It is anticipated that Alek will be in Florida for at least a week or two. Based on his condition, he will most likely have to drive home across the country from Florida. Some of the future costs we anticipate include:

    •    Up to a few weeks spent in the ICU

    •    Further tests, scans, and potentially surgery

    •    Cost for an adult to remain with him during his stay in Florida or cost to fly someone from his family to Florida

•    Cost for a rental car and gas to drive home