In the blink of an eye, Farah Auliya transformed from a cheerful girl into a bedridden child. It all began on August 3, 2023, when she had a fever and told her mother she was too weak to go to school. She stayed home to rest, but around 2 a.m., she suddenly began shivering with a dangerously high fever.

Her family rushed her to the nearest clinic, but before any medication could be given, Auliya became delirious and vomited on the way back home. They decided to head straight to the hospital. While in the car, she suffered repeated seizures. Upon arrival, the doctor immediately administered anti-seizure medication.

Auliya grew increasingly weak, unable to respond, only whispering, “Mama.” The doctor suspected oxygen might not be reaching her brain and connected her to an oxygen tube. While waiting for blood test results, Auliya had another prolonged seizure and was put into a medically induced coma by 7 a.m. on August 4.

She was admitted to NICU and given IVIG medication to calm her nerves and muscles. After two days, she was transferred to the PICU, where she stayed from August 6 to August 24.

Doctors suspect that Auliya has Influenza A and ANEC—Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy of Childhood, a rare and critical brain condition. Out of 10% of patients affected, only 1% make a full recovery. Hearing this broke her family’s hearts. Once active, bright, and talkative, Auliya now lies weak and silent.

What’s more devastating are the doctor’s words: there are three possible outcomes—she may recover but never be the same, remain in her current condition, or regain consciousness but suffer sudden respiratory failure.

As parents, they are heartbroken but accept fate with open hearts. To give strength to Auliya, they must first be strong themselves.

Since her diagnosis, treatment costs have skyrocketed. Her father’s factory job barely covers their basic needs. The family now desperately hopes for kind-hearted people to help them give Auliya the best chance at recovery.