Community Rallies for Pleasanton Little Leaguer Fighting for His Life After Collapsing on Baseball Field

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

Residents in Tri-Valley are working to raise funds to help the family of a Little League player who has been in a coma since he was carried off of a baseball field by his father after collapsing before a game earlier this month.

On May 6, after Dillon O’Leary was rushed to a nearby hospital, he was airlifted to Oakland Children’s Hospital where he remains. O’Leary, a player with the Pleasanton Foothill Little League, had been vomiting and complaining of a headache prior to his collapse, according to an email distributed to families throughout the league. League officials say doctors put O’Leary, 11, in the medically induced coma for the swelling in his brain.

O’Leary’s family is asking for prayers. His father told league officials, “Prayers are as valuable as money.”

Officials released an update from O’Leary’s family about his condition as of Wednesday:

“Dillon is resting comfortably while surrounded by family and friends. He ended up having two surgeries last night, the second to create an opening in his skull to allow the swelling to subside. The opening was created to relieve the swelling and the draining of fluid to progress. Dillon needs his sleep. Prayers up for DP as his vitals remain steady.”

Players and parents showed their support for O’Leary and his family by wearing green to the AAA games on May 10. O’Leary is a student at Sunol Glen Elementary School.

The Go Fund Me page has garnered over $26,000 since it was posted six days ago. Donations can be made here.

Photos courtesy Go Fund Me website.