11-year-old Gabriel Ferdin needs your help.

His name means “Hero of God” or “God’s might.” Gabriel has been a fighter his entire life. His father abandoned him before he was born. His mother died when he was only three months old, leaving his grandparents to care for him and his two older siblings, Daniel, age 3, and Anita, age 6. Two years ago, Gabriel’s teacher called his grandparents and suggested they take Gabriel to a doctor — he seemed to be falling down quite a bit.Doctors ran tests and delivered theheartbreaking news, Gabriel had Muscular Dystrophy, a debilitating disease that causes the body’s muscles, including the heart and lung muscles, to weaken. Ironically, the same month, Gabriel’s grandfather was diagnosed with the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s, leaving the grandmother to take care of her ailing husband, and her three grandchildren. Unfortunately, the disease has progressed rapidly, causing severe curvature of Gabriel’s spine. Muscular Dystrophy specialists at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) medical center have determined that Gabriel must undergo surgery to place rods and pins in his spine to correct the curvature. Before the surgery takes place, Gabriel is undergoing extensive tests on his heart and lungs to determine if they are strong enough to survive the surgery. Gabriel’s grandparents are currently in their 80s and dependent on social security income. They cannot drive, and must rely on others for rides back and forth from Union City to San Francisco. We are asking for donations to help Gabriel and his family with expenses. We would also like to collect enough money to rent a hotel room within walking distance of the hospital for his grandparents to stay while Gabriel has his surgery and recovery.The doctors will not be sure about his chances of recovery until the test results of his heart and lungs. Donations may be made payable to Gabriel Ferdin, at any Bank of the West, to be deposited to Gabriel Ferdin Account Number #016148411. You can also mail your donation to Gabriel Ferdin, C/O Fugitive Watch 353-E East Tenth Street PMB #228 Gilroy, CA 95020.

Tags: Bank of the West, Gabriel, Gabriel Ferdin, MD, Muscular Dystrophy, UCSF, University of California San Francisco, University of California San Francisco Hospital