Mom Refuses To Give Up After Bergen Baby Suffers Multiple Strokes

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — It is every parent's worst nightmare.

Melissa and Joey Rodriguez of Northvale found their 6-month-old son, Kash unresponsive, seizing, and cyanotic Saturday. He was rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center after suffering multiple strokes and a brain stem herniation, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched Monday to help the family.

"His imaging tests have confirmed he no longer has any blood flow to his brain, which also means no oxygen to his brain. His EEG shows no brain activity. Essentially, there’s nothing else they say they can do," Melissa Rodriguez said in an update on the GoFundMe page.

But Kash's family has not, and will not, lose hope.

"I refuse to give up. If his heart goes on its own, which they're saying is a big possibility, that may happen, then that was his body saying he was ready," Rodriguez said.

More than $9,000 has been donated to the family since the campaign went live. The money will help pay for medical expenses and help the family with meals, childcare, and time missed from work, according to the fundraiser's organizer, Kristin Del Greco.

"Melissa and her family thank everyone for their support, prayers and love during this devastating time," Del Greco said.

People on Facebook are encouraging others to pray for Kash, his parents, and his big brother, Roman.

"We collectively are not willing to stop fighting for this sweet boy and Melissa and her family, fighting by praying constantly for her," Barbie Dangle, a friend of Rodriguez's said on Facebook. "Because this is in God's hands, but we all know that God works amazing miracles."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com