A mother migrated from El Salvador to the United States seeking treatment for her 11-year-old daughter Daniela Zeledon, who is in need of a lung transplant.
Daniela’s mother Raquel Zeledon-Calderon is now fighting to save Daniela’s life.
This summer Daniela is spending the summer like many other 11-year-olds, playing with their cousins.
But Daniela isn’t like other 11-year-olds.
Daniela suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, her lungs are more than 60 percent damaged. She can walk far, run and she is tied to an oxygen tank unable to be more than a few minutes away from the machine that keeps her alive.
“It’s urgently necessary for her to have a transplant, because lately she has been suffering from body changes due to a lack of oxygen,” said Raquel.
Eight months ago, Raquel made the decision to migrate from El Salvador after doctors there told her there was no treatment available.
For 12 days, they traveled and endured treacherous conditions with a portable rechargeable oxygen tank that kept Daniela alive.
“It was beautiful when we arrived, and I could see my daughter’s face. She grabbed my hand and told me ‘Mommy, we made it,’ and that was something that will stay in my heart the rest of my life. She arrived and told me It was worth it, we did it!”
Raquel says a month ago a viral infection caused Daniela to be hospitalized, causing more damage to her lungs, leaving a transplant as her only option.
Because of Raquel’s immigration status, they are having a hard time with insurance coverage.
So to help with cost, they started a GoFundMe.
“I promised to fight until the end and I will. God gave me the strength and God bless, we’re here and because of her I am going to get where I have to go.”
Raquel says it’s hard to see her daughter suffer, and if she could give her own lungs, she would.
While Daniela’s illness is complex for her life is simple, she just wants to be a normal kid, who can run and play and go to school like her cousin’s.
“Well I see other children happy to be with others and feeling something beautiful,” said Daniela.
While there is fear and unknown as to what the future hold, Raquel says it’s in God’s hands and adds that as long as God allows her to, she will keep knocking on doors until she finds someone to help.
Raquel said she was taken aback recently by something Daniela told her.
“She said to me, ‘From Heaven, when I go, I’ll always take care of you,’ and it’s conversations like that between mother and daughter that break my spirit.”
If you would like to help Daniela, you can click here.
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