Age: 6
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
Game: UCLA vs. Oregon State
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Levi is 6 years old and lives with his parents Jesse and Bethany in Bakersfield, California. Levi and his parents are no strangers to making the long journey to Westwood for treatment at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, where they are seen by Alice Hoftman, MD, a pediatric rheumatologist at UCLA.
Two years ago, Levi was transferred to UCLA, where he was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare inflammatory disease marked by progressive muscle weakness and skin rashes.
“It has been hard on my husband and me,” Levi’s mom Bethany says, “but Levi is so strong and handles it even better than we do. He is very happy-go-lucky and has a big personality and imagination.”
In April of 2016, Levi began a new treatment regimen consisting of six doses – each spanning two consecutive days – of intravenous immunoglobulin infusions every month. Levi has responded well to the treatment and completed his scheduled treatment regimen in October. Since then, Levi has been very active and playful. The staff at the UCLA Pediatric Infusion Center look forward to Levi’s visits and describe him as a kind and happy boy.
UCLA is excited to honor Levi as our Kid Captain. His strength, determination and willingness to fight this disease alongside his family each and every day is an inspiration to everyone who knows him.
