WORTHWHILE CHARITIES
At PFI Advisors, we are committed not only to our clients, but also to our community. As part of our mission, we are dedicated to giving back and making the world a better place through these initiatives.
The Layla Paige Foundation seeks to raise awareness for terminal children facing undiagnosed medical challenges – and to provide funding, resources, and inspiration for children in hospice and children’s hospitals around the world.
The inspiration for our work comes from the bravest girl we have ever known, our daughter, Layla Paige. With a team of sixteen doctors, nurses, and medical professionals following her case and providing care, she opened the door to new communication in the medical community. Any future success we achieve will be in Layla’s honor, executed with the skills and lessons she taught us during her short time here with us – namely Grit, Grace, Strength, Determination, Gratitude and most importantly, Perspective.
When you don’t know what to say, give.
At the age of 6 months, Matt and Larissa’s daughter, Layla Paige, had her first seizure. After being admitted into Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (‘CHLA’), it was discovered that she had a rare and undiagnosed brain disease. For the next 2 years, Layla received top-rated care from many, many doctors and teams covering numerous divisions and departments at CHLA: Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Orthopedic, Genetics/Pathology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, General Pediatrics, Clinical Nutrition, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Vision Therapy, and Palliative Care.
Layla fought like a true “Warrior Princess” for 22 months before finally succumbing to her disease on the morning of July 8th, 2017. Thanks to the tireless efforts of her doctors, nurses and medical teams, she was at home, pain free, and in her mother’s arms surrounded by her father and 4-year-old brother, Luke, when she took her final breath.
Our Hero even in death, Layla was able to successfully donate her heart valves and both corneas. One cornea was successfully transplanted into a 4-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic, and her other cornea was successfully transplanted into a 76-year-old woman in Arizona. Layla was able to give the amazing gift of vision to two people, even when she herself was unable to see due to her disorder. We have also received confirmation that both of her heart valves were successfully transplanted into two people. While we don’t know the age, gender, or country of the recipients, we are so grateful to know her heart is beating on, in double time!
Words cannot describe the tremendous debt of gratitude the Sonnen family owes to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. As the first and largest pediatric hospital in Southern California, CHLA relies on the generosity of philanthropists in the community to support compassionate patient care, leading-edge education of the caregivers of tomorrow and innovative research efforts that impact children and their families.
We hope that you will consider honoring Layla’s legacy and help us say “thank you” for the incredible care our family received by making a donation to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Together we can continue to support other patients and families who are in similar situations and seeking life-saving care.
Thank you!
TrinityKids Care Hospice is the only dedicated pediatric hospice program in Los Angeles and Orange counties for infants, children and adolescents with life-limiting illnesses. TrinityKids Care, provides in-home care and support for young patients and their families.
Matt and Larissa’s daughter, Layla Paige, received amazing services from Dr. Glen Komatsu and his entire team during her final months of life. Thanks to the tireless efforts of her doctors, nurses and medical teams, she was at home, pain free, and in her mother’s arms surrounded by her father and 4-year-old brother Luke when she took her final breath. She passed away the morning of July 8, 2017.
Please watch this beautiful video about Layla’s journey with TrinityKids Care Hospice
The PFI team’s very own Sandra Saldana has been an animal lover all her life. She has volunteered at different animal shelters and nonprofit organizations and adopted her dog Nova in July of 2019 from the Los Angeles County Animal Shelter. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) has many amazing programs, including a summer camp where kids learn how to treat and care for animals, resources for free spay/neuter operations, and they even provide dog training classes (a typically high cost service) at reduced cost to ensure a happy and socialized pet. They do not receive government funding and rely completely on donations. It is never too late to help our furry friends who are always in need!
Liam Mikael Kowal was the son of Sandra Saldana’s friends and trainers, Marcus Kowal and Mishel Eder. On September 3, 2016, at only 15 months old, Liam was struck by a drunk driver while on a walk with his aunt. Liam was found in his stroller, not breathing and without a pulse. The first responders were able to resuscitate him, but a CT scan discovered the hit had caused his brain to swell and the brain stem to sink down the spine. On September 4, 2016 at approximately 2PM, in a room full of close family and friends, Liam was pronounced brain dead. Liam’s organs were donated, and his parents started a foundation in his name to end alcohol-related driving fatalities. Sandra continues to support Marcus and Mishel and believes in their mission. Drunk driving deaths are completely preventable, especially with today’s rideshare apps. Marcus and Mishel continue to fight corporate interests and have even gone to Sacramento to demand legislative changes in their son’s name. Please visit their website to learn more about how you can help fight for change.