West Haven Girl Battles Rare Illness, GoFundMe Started

WEST HAVEN, CT — A GoFundMe was started by a Milford resident, Rachael Scaranuzzo, to help raise money for a West Haven family whose daughter is battling a rare disease that has left her unable to speak, walk or eat.

Juliana Guida went to Yale-New Haven Hospital March 13 after it was suspected she got a routine viral infection. She ended up having seizures and became unconscious. An MRI showed brain hemorrhages and swelling, according to the GoFundMe.

She was in intensive care for two weeks and is now in the pediatric intensive care unit. Juliana was eventually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease related to the MOG antibody in her blood. She now needs treatment every two weeks at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

She has regained some movement in all her limbs, but will require daily therapy at a New York children's rehabilitation center to regain the ability to walk. Her father will have to stay with her 24/7 and will be out of work.

The family's older daughter also suffers from aplastic anemia.

Donations will help support the family financially.

>>>Link to GoFundMe here.

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Image via GoFundMe