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Aaron was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital after having horrible headaches and displaying strange behaviors. He was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis, a rare illness where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy brain cells.

Aaron was in a coma-like state for some time and the illness caused damage to his brain that affected his speech and motor skills. Pediatric therapists helped him relearn how to walk and talk. Now, less than a year later, he has returned to school and is back to playing sports.

Donations to Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital provide comfort items such as recliners and sofa beds in all rooms of the children’s hospital, allowing parents to room in with their child during hospital stays. Gifts also provided many lifesaving pieces of equipment like ventilators and bedside ultrasound equipment, which were used in Aaron’s care.

Watch Aaron’s story:

picture of aaron