A Stanislaus County child fights for his life at UCSF. Family asks for help with bills

Apr. 19—People are rallying behind a Patterson boy who's trying to recover at a Bay Area hospital from a ruptured aneurysm.

Julian Cordero, 7, has been at University of California San Francisco Medical Center for three weeks, after suffering the second aneurysm of his young life.

He is set for a major surgery next week as family members raise funds to help cover the parents' medical bills.

Chico Rodriguez, an uncle, was talking with the boy's father at the children's hospital, which is three minutes from the Chase Center, when he got the idea to hold a drawing for tickets to a Warriors-Kings NBA playoff game, with the donations going to defray the family's expenses.

"He's made slow improvements and has amazed me with his resolve, his heart and courage, and his will to live," Rodriguez said of his nephew. "His parents Melissa and John (Cordero) haven't left his side. They left work and have been living at the hospital since the day it happened."

Julian Cordero, nicknamed "JuJu," suffered a first aneurysm when he was just 3 years old. His parents thought it was a seizure and the boy was rushed to the hospital.

Testing showed it was a brain bleed. Julian was taken to the children's hospital in Madera and was later transferred to UCSF for treatment.

Melissa Cordero said Monday her son recovered well and lived the typical boy's life for four years. He made progress with his school work at Northmead Elementary this year, was named Student of the Month in February and made the Honor Roll.

Julian also enjoys playing youth baseball in Patterson.

"Like all kids he likes Steph Curry," Melissa said, referring to the Warriors star.

When Julian was rushed to Modesto's Memorial Medical Center last month, doctors checked his medical records and didn't take long to identify the problem. He underwent a CT scan of the brain and was flown to UCSF.

Melissa said her son has been intubated and kept on sedation for three weeks. He has paralysis on his right side.

The boy was moved out of the intensive care unit and is awaiting the surgery. The surgeons plan to operate on the damaged portion of Julian's brain and reattach part of his skull, which was removed to relieve pressure.

After the surgery, Julian will need eight to 10 weeks of physical and speech therapy. The youngster has three brothers, Marcus, Mason and John Jr., and an older sister, Jasmine.

Melissa said her husband works for the CVS Pharmacy distribution center in Patterson and circumstances led to choosing a higher deductible health insurance plan for this year. Julian is receiving highly-specialized care that is expensive.

Rodriguez began accepting $25 donations Monday evening for the NBA playoff tickets drawing. The drawing will be held Saturday evening.

"He doesn't deserve the hand he was dealt," Rodriguez said in referring to his nephew. "He's fighting for his life and there's not much we can do but hope and pray."

The links for the medical fundraiser supporting the Cordero family are @jujustrong1 (Instagram) and @jujustrong1 (Venmo).

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