Nine year old Daniel Cortez is currently in Valley Children's Hospital in Madera. What was thought to be a sprained ankle has been diagnosed as MRSA.
He is currently receiving antibiotics through a pick line to his heart because it has spread to his blood stream and bones.
He is expected to be in the hospital (in isolation) for 4-8 weeks.
MRSA infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria often called "staph." MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It's a strain of staph that's resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it. MRSA can be fatal.
Here are a few ways that you can do to help: Care Package:
The family is going to send a care package to the hospital in Madera. The parents went up there last week by ambulance and do not have any of the "comforts" of home. (Deodorant, razors, ponytail holders, lap blankets, snack items, socks, etc. For Daniel: anything he can do to occupy himself while he is in the hospital. The hospital does supply him with a PS2 which doubles as a DVD player. The package is going to be sent Wednesday afternoon, so any donated items can be brought to the bookstore by Wednesday.

Meals
There are three other children in this family who are staying with friends
and/or relatives on a day to day basis, any donations of gift cards,
groceries or even cooked meals would be appreciated.
There is a meal calendar in the bookstore if anyone would like to sign up
for a day.

Car Wash
Daniel's football and little league coaches, along with friends and family will be hosting a car wash on Saturday, November 8th @ 7-11 to assist with the food, lodging and travel expenses.
Tickets will be available in the bookstore. There will be a bank account set up at CVCU for this family, if you are interested in making a donation, please contact Justina.
Daniel's parents would like to thank the community of Taft for all of their assistance, they said they "feel so blessed to live in such a supportive community, they are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from stangers as well as friends and family"