UFC CEO Dana White Extends Crucial Help to 12-Year-Old School Shooting Victim Maya Gebala

Maya Gebala, a 12-year-old girl who sustained severe injuries during a tragic school shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia on February 10, is set to receive comprehensive financial and medical assistance from UFC CEO Dana White.

The incident, perpetrated by a lone shooter, resulted in six fatalities and left 27 individuals injured. Maya remains in critical care at Vancouver Children’s Hospital, having already undergone several surgeries and facing ongoing complications from her wounds.

Earlier this week, Maya's family revealed that Dana White, upon learning of the dire situation, committed to covering all associated costs. This includes her current medical treatments, future surgical procedures, and the complex logistics of transporting Gebala to a specialized medical facility in Los Angeles once her condition is stable enough for travel. White has also generously offered to cover accommodation expenses for her family during this period.

Maya's Mother Shares Hopeful Update

Cia Edmonds, Maya's mother, posted an emotional update on social media, expressing a significant shift in outlook. She shared positive news regarding an abscess, noting that recent samples showed no growth or cultures, suggesting it may be resolving or ready for removal. This development has paved the way for discussions about Maya finally being able to leave the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a milestone that has brought immense relief after weeks of challenging news.

Edmonds lauded her daughter's incredible resilience, stating, "She is SUCH a fighter… SO MUCH that she was recognized as such, early on." She further elaborated on White's early intervention: "After a week of being in the ICU we were contacted by the president of the UFC, Dana White, he’d offered maya full paid medical in one of the world’s most top tier hospitals in LA California. Edit: He has also offered to pay for a place to stay."

While Maya's critical state previously prevented her transfer to the Los Angeles hospital, which boasts extensive brain trauma clinics and superior resources, her improving stability now makes such a move a tentative possibility as early as Monday. Edmonds expressed her excitement, envisioning Maya achieving her best self through this recovery journey. She also mentioned the "super cool" gesture of the UFC acknowledging Maya's name in the ring.

The family now anticipates a future focused on stability and recovery, hopeful of gaining a clearer understanding of Maya's long-term care needs, including necessary equipment like wheelchairs. Edmonds concluded with a heartfelt message, "It feels as thought the air got lighter, and maya has some light in her eyes… hope just got a little more brighter... My fighter… I always said her stubborn hard head will work well for her some day."