Famous American singer Drake Bell, known for his roles in shows like Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh, visited a very special baby in Ensenada.
He is Rafael, also known as Rafita, a 1-year-and-8-month-old baby from Ensenada who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 when he was just one month old.
Drake Bell Visits Baby in Ensenada
The singer livestreamed his visit which took place on February 25, where he invited his millions of followers to support Rafita’s family, who are raising funds to pay for his treatment.
This type of atrophy is the most severe, according to information shared by his parents. It damages the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord due to the lack of the SMN1 gene, causing muscles to not function properly and affecting abilities such as eating, breathing, or walking.
To fight this disease, Rafita needs a treatment called Zolgensma, which is known as “the most expensive medicine in the world,” with an approximate price of $2.1 million.
Drake shared that when he arrived at his hotel in Ensenada, he saw a photo on Facebook of Rafita watching Drake & Josh.
In the post, Rafita’s parents were asking for help so that Drake could meet Rafita and share a message to support their cause.
Bell said that seeing that photo “touched his heart,” and although he was already back in Tijuana, he managed to contact Rafita’s father and returned to Ensenada to visit them.
“Thank you, Drake, for lending your voice to my son Rafita, for giving him a space in the world and helping his story reach more people. In a world where voices like his are sometimes silenced, you made his voice louder. Your support is not just a gesture; it is a bridge that brings more people closer to his story, his fight, and our unwavering love as parents. Rafita deserves to be seen, heard, and embraced by the world, and thanks to you, his light shines a little brighter today.”
The singer added that since he travels to Ensenada frequently, he will be visiting his new friend Rafita and will do whatever he can to help.
Although Rafita has a life expectancy of 2 to 3 years, the Zolgensma treatment contains an exact copy of the SMN1 protein that his body needs to prolong and improve his quality of life.
Receiving it would not only allow him to walk or move but also breathe on his own.
According to Rafita’s parents, the baby has spent over 610 days in the hospital. He currently has a tracheostomy, is connected to a ventilator, and is fed through a gastrostomy tube.
Those interested in supporting Rafita can contact the family through Facebook or donate on their GoFundMe page.
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