A Georgia family is rallying support for 12-year-old Levi Arant, who was born prematurely at just 25 weeks and has faced ongoing medical challenges ever since.
Diagnosed with severe lung damage, a rare immune disorder and later autism, Levi is now nearly non-verbal and struggles to communicate.
His family hopes stem cell therapy in Florida could provide him with greater engagement, responsiveness and connection.
Levi’s mother, Casey, has launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for the treatment.
She described her son’s fight for survival from the moment he was born weighing only 1 lb. 4 oz. and given less than a 65% chance of survival.
“From the second he was born, he has been fighting. Whether that has been for each breath he has taken, or each step he’s managed to make despite doctors’ predictions otherwise, Levi has fought like hell to be here,” she wrote on the GoFundMe campaign.
His early years were marked by extended hospital stays, life-threatening infections and reliance on oxygen support.
“Finally, when he came home, the first night there, his oxygen machine malfunctioned and he stopped breathing altogether. I had to give him CPR until we could get his tank hooked up and EMTs arrived,” Casey wrote on the campaign.
In 2023, Levi was diagnosed with autism. His mother says he is a loving and happy child, but his limited ability to communicate has been a constant struggle.
“My miracle child has punched his own face bloody multiple times because he is frustrated with not being able to communicate. He watches other kids play, and it’s like he wants to join but doesn’t know how. He’s been made fun of, shunned, fallen through the cracks of the system far too many times,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page.
The family believes stem cell therapy may offer a breakthrough.
“Even if we never hear our son talk, communication in ANY capacity is so important and right now we barely have any way to know if our baby is in pain, what he’s thinking about, what he wants for Christmas,” Casey explained on the fundraiser. “Levi deserves a win. We believe this could be a chance at giving him one.”
Casey says any donation, even $1, would make a difference.
“So, any help from anyone willing to give even just $1 would mean the world to us, as there is nothing more important to us than ensuring that our babies have the absolute best. If you can’t give anything, please share. It helps more than you know,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page.
The GoFundMe page is open now for those who wish to contribute to Levi’s treatment and future.
As of Saturday night, donations had reached $2,785, bringing the family closer to their $15,000 goal.
To donate to Levi’s campaign, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/levis-stem-cell-therapy
