Photo by Lisa Means
Jesuit soccer player Christian Lerma might not be alive had trainer Tara Grubbs and several parents not rushed to his aid.
Lerma went into cardiac arrest and collapsed during a soccer game held Feb. 9. Grubbs and several others, including Dr. Matt Davis, revived him using an Automatic External Defibrillator and CPR.
Lerma is being treated at Medical City, where he and his family learned he has a heart condition that will prevent him from playing competitive sports. Because of this, Lerma will lose his athletic scholarships for college.
His mother, Adriana Lerma, set up a GoFundMe to cover the cost of medical expenses.
“Today we are looking forward to what the future holds, but financially we are not prepared to finance his long-term medical needs and future college expenses without his athletic scholarships,” she wrote. “This was set up for Christian’s future medical needs, and of course he is still very hopeful about attending college to further his academic career. We are eternally grateful for the tremendous support and love he has received from friends, family, his Jesuit community, and even strangers.”
Within one day, $12,571 already has been raised.
“Everyone has been so generous and kind to my son, and I want to personally thank each and everyone who has prayed, donated and cared for him,” Lerma told the Advocate. “Despite everything that has happened, Christian is truly blessed to be alive and have all of you.”
