An 11-year-old boy passed away from flu-related complications only one month after celebrating his birthday.
Luca Calanni from Hamburg, New York was a healthy child before he contracted the flu, his family said to ABC-affiliate WKBW.
His mom, Ashley Calanni, said: “He was vaccinated, and we did everything possible to prevent and help him.”
The young boy was taken to a doctor three days in a row, according to the outlet. He was brought to Oishei Children’s Hospital for fluids after he was diagnosed with septic shock.
Luca seemed to be doing well, Ashley shared. But a few days later, the 11-year-old went into cardiac arrest after the flu started attacking his heart.
He passed away at the hospital, according to the Erie County Department of Health.
The Calanni family said of the doctors and nurses at the hospital: “The wonderful staff did everything they could to help him. We cannot thank them enough.”
There is no doubt that Luca ‘positively impacted all those around him.’ Frontier Central Schools wrote on Facebook: “Over the weekend, Frontier lost one of its young Falcons. As has been reported by many news outlets, Luca Calanni passed away Saturday after complications from the flu. He was a wonderful young man that positively impacted all those around him.
“Social workers and counselors will be available at all buildings, with an especially heavy presence at Pinehurst to assist both students and staff.
“Our top-notch nursing staff will act as a point of contact for any information parents request regarding the flu including handouts on flu facts. During this extremely difficult time, we ask for privacy for our Falcons and for Luca’s family.”
Neighborhoods in Western New York changed all porch lights to orange to honor Luca.
His mother added: “We don’t want Luca to become just a statistic.”
Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Health Commissioner, said that Luca was the second child to pass away from the flu in Erie County in 15 years. “We are seeing much more flu this season compared to other years.”
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