Eli Waller was a sweet 4-year-old boy who went to sleep one evening in his family home… and never woke up.
Sadly, Eli passed in the night and became the first confirmed Enterovirus D68 death.
This specific strain of the enterovirus is particularly dangerous for children. It can cause severe respiratory illness and send kids to the emergency room.
But what’s scariest is in Eli’s case, there was no warning. One minute here, the next, gone.
Mr. Waller said:
“I really think Eli’s case is extraordinarily unbelievable, an exception to the rule. It’s an extreme bad luck misfortune type of event; a one in a million type of occurrence. Thinking about that really makes me determined to make the most out of what we have here, to take every moment we get and do the best we can with it and make something out of this totally random unbelievable tragedy.”
And boy have they really done some incredible things already!
It’s absolutely amazing, the response his family has had to all of this. The Waller family has started a charitable foundation in their son’s honor: The First Day of School Foundation!
With the support of their community and Eli’s school, Yardville Elementary in Hamilton, New Jersey, they’re doing some incredible things.
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Yardville’s principal, Elena Manning, has been helping to get blue and gold ribbons distributed in Eli’s memory, telling us exclusively:
“Eli Waller, a beautiful 4-year-old boy, was the first confirmed death in the U.S. from the Enterovirus D68. Eli was a triplet whose parents have started a foundation in his memory. Their wish is to have something good come of their tragedy. The foundation, firstdayofschoolfoundation.org, is intended to provide financial assistance for school-related and therapeutic expenses for students with special needs and their families. These blue and gold ribbons represent Yardville’s school colors where Eli attended pre-school.
It’s gone international. I just mailed 50 ribbons and cards to a woman in the UK, Kloe, who saw the story on Anderson Cooper. She asked for a ribbon and is giving to the foundation. We’re hoping that she will continue to spread the word internationally. And of course the Wallers would love Ellen to call.”
You hear that, Ellen DeGeneres?? Get on it and let’s get this foundation some serious exposure to help spread some love and charity into the world!
What’s the best way you can honor someone’s memory?
By helping others in their name!
Go to The First Day of School Foundation’s page HERE and donate!!
This is a seriously inspiring example of finding the good in all situations. Eli’s entire family is in our hearts and thoughts.
[Image via First Day Of School Foundation.]