Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White is stepping in to help a young girl facing a long road to recovery.
According to TMZ, White has committed to covering the full medical expenses for 12-year-old school shooting survivor Maya Gebal, who sustained life-threatening injuries during a tragic incident earlier this year. His support reportedly includes treatment at a specialized hospital in the Los Angeles area, where she can receive advanced care.
White has also offered to assist Maya’s family with lodging during her treatment, easing some of the financial and logistical strain as they remain by her side.
Maya was critically injured in February during a school shooting in British Columbia, suffering gunshot wounds to her head and neck. She has since undergone multiple brain surgeries, and a fragment of a bullet remains lodged in her brain.
Despite the severity of her injuries, there have been encouraging signs.
Maya has regained limited movement in her toes and is able to communicate using simple yes-and-no paddles. However, she is still unable to move the right side of her body and continues to face a long and uncertain recovery process.
Her mother, Cia Edmonds, posted on social media that White reached out shortly after the incident, offering to fund treatment in the United States once Maya is stable enough to travel. The access to specialized brain trauma care could prove critical in her rehabilitation.
The UFC also honored Maya earlier this year by displaying her name inside the Octagon during an event in Houston, bringing attention to her story.
A GoFundMe organized by the family has already raised more than $500,000 as support continues to pour in.