Father Ariel Cohen, daughter Eliana Cohen, and mother Shani Levi Cohen. Photo from Youtube. After sharing a Chesed Fund donation account for their two-year-old daughter Eliana, Shani Levi Cohen and Ariel Cohen, from Miami, Florida, received more than $2.2 million in four days.
Eliana was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2. After realizing her lower body muscles were weak, Shani and Ariel took her to multiple doctors and specialists, but no one had answers as to why she wasn’t yet able to crawl or walk. Eventually, Eliana’s parents took her to a neurologist, where she was tested and diagnosed with SMA.
In May 2019, the FDA approved a drug called Zolgensma, which cures SMA but can only be given to children under the age of two. The drug would give Eliana the ability to walk, eat and breathe on her own since the one-time dosage was $2.2 million they couldn’t afford it on their own.
Five days left before Eliana’s second birthday, the parents decided to set up a campaign through The Chesed Fund in hopes of raising money so they could afford the cure for their daughter.
In just four days, the Cohen family was able to reach their goal and now have the money to receive the drug for Eliana. The parents are forever grateful to those who donated to and supported their cause.
“When we began this campaign 4 days ago, we embarked upon the impossible. We desperately needed to raise 2M+ in the course of a few days to save of the life of our daughter Eliana. Very quickly, Klal Yisroel joined together and in an unprecedented display of Achdus, this lifesaving campaign gathered force,” the family wrote on the campaign site.
They added: “With great Siyata Dishamya and B’chasdei Hashem, we were able to reach this unprecedented goal and are now in a position to receive the miracle drug. We want to take the opportunity to recognize and thank each and every one of you for your tefillos and generous support.”
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