Help Leidy’s final dream come true

ALS, More Than A Bucket Challenge

Hello everyone, My name is Danny Darelli and I am fundraising for my mom Leidy Darelli who was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of ALS (Lou Gherig’s disease) called Bulbar in December 2019. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Since her diagnosis, my mom has been rapidly losing her muscle function. She is unable to speak, eat, or breathe on her own. 

My Mother’s Final Wish

Leidy is originally from Colombia and all of her family currently lives there. Her final wish is to return to Colombia for the final stage of her ALS to be near her loved ones. For the past 8 months, we have been preparing to honor her wish and move her back to Colombia in May 2021.  

Unfortunately, three weeks ago, only two months before returning to Colombia, things turned drastically for the worst after she contracted pneumonia and had to be rushed by ambulance to the hospital. She is now currently fighting for her life in the ICU at the U of U Hospital in Utah. 

Our Biggest Challenge

Sadly, the doctors believe that Leidy’s time with us is extremely limited. They have given her only a few weeks to live. It breaks my heart to see her deteriorating fast and even more to think that I’m losing my mom. Unfortunately, it is now impossible for her to fly commercially to achieve her dream as we had been planning.

Finally, Some Good News

The doctors have notified us that this dream is still a reality, but the only possible option to get her back to Colombia will be by private plane ambulance that will be able to handle the equipment needed for her to make the journey back home. 

The estimated cost to cover travel expenses will be in the range of $80,000-$100,000 from Salt Lake City, Utah to fly my mom to her home city of Cartagena, Colombia. This journey can be completed within a few short hours. Her dream can still come true.

Her Current Situation

My mother recently had a feeding tube placed since she can no longer swallow any solid food. She can no longer breathe on her own without a BiPAP ventilator. The BiPAP machine is what keeps her lungs going since her muscles have become extremely weak to function on their own. To complete my mom’s journey, we have to purchase a BiPAP machine as well as some additional medical equipment such as a suction aspirator, hospital bed and cough assist for her to live comfortably in Colombia with the time she has left. 

My Mom, My Hero

I am truly amazed that even with everything going on, my mother remains calm and she continues to fight. All of the nurses adore how sweet she has been and how she always manages to give a big smile and a thumbs up given the circumstances. 

This is her final wish after being a citizen and living in the United States for 25 years. It breaks my heart seeing her laying in a hospital bed with only one last wish which is to spend her remaining days in the country where she was born and to give her family one final goodbye.  

I Can’t Do It Alone

My biggest dream is now to make her dream come true. But, I can’t do it alone. I believe with your help we can make it happen. She is one of the most kind, genuine, hardworking women you’ll ever meet. Leidy worked very hard her whole life cleaning houses and as a substitute teacher/ parent liaison while living here. Now, I will fight my hardest to make her dream come true.

She has no idea I made this GoFundMe and I truly believe this would be the greatest gift of her life if our goal is reached. I know times have been challenging for everyone, but any amount would truly help and we appreciate the support for this amazing woman. If you can also help share this GoFundme, it would mean the world to me.

Where Your Donations Will Go

All the funds collected will go towards accomplishing the goal of getting her to Colombia. Including the hiring of a private plane ambulance, medical staff, purchasing the ventilator/medical equipment, and any other expenses needed for her journey to Colombia.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

#GetLeidy2Colombia