“SHE’S STILL HERE” — 12-YEAR-OLD MAYA GEBALA SHOWS HOPEFUL SIGNS OF RECOVERY AS DONATIONS SURGE PAST $1 MILLION 4 After five harrowing days fighting for her life from gunshot wounds to the head and neck, 12-year-old Maya Gebala is showing what her family calls “hopeful signs” of recovery — and the words echo like a miracle: “She’s still here.” Doctors remain cautious, but loved ones say small improvements have begun to appear, moments that feel monumental after the nightmare that unfolded. Outside the hospital, candles continue to flicker in the cold night air as classmates and strangers gather in quiet solidarity. At the same time, the GoFundMe campaign created to support Maya’s medical care has officially surpassed $1,000,000, with donations pouring in from across the country and beyond. Her mother and relatives have expressed overwhelming gratitude, saying the outpouring of support has carried them through their darkest hours. “We are beyond thankful,” a family member shared, describing the fragile but growing sense of hope surrounding Maya’s bedside. As machines hum softly and doctors press forward with treatment, one thing feels certain — this 12-year-old’s fight has united thousands, and the story of her survival is still being written in real time.
Tumbler Ridge survivor’s condition still critical but improving
she’s still with them, even if doctors didn’t think she would be.
For the family of Maya Gebala, sitting by her hospital bed is a blessing. This means she’s still with them after doctors didn’t think she would be. Jack Rabb has more.
For the family of Maya Gebala, sitting by her hospital bed is a blessing. It means she’s still with them — even if doctors didn’t think she would be.
Maya was shot in the head and neck during the rampage at Tumbler Ridge Secondary Feb. 10. After being airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital, she has remained in extreme critical condition, clinging to life.
But as a nation sends its love and support to the 12-year-old and her family, Maya is showing signs of improvement.
“She is progressing a little bit each day…and we’re happy to report that she is having little tiny breath initiations on her own, and little eye flickers, so we know that there is some healing happening,” said Krysta Hunt, Maya’s mother’s cousin
Hunt says the doctors were asking the family to make a decision about organ donation. But now, Maya’s improvement has been enough to have her moved from end-of-life care to intensive care.
Meanwhile, Canadians, including the young hockey player’s role model Hayley Wickenheiser, have rallied around her, with donations to her GoFundMe topping $400,000.
“It’s amazing, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Hunt said.
“It will give Maya her lifelong care that she will need, because more than likely she will be in a wheelchair.”
Sharing that same sense of selflessness, her family is now calling on Canadians to support other Tumbler Ridge fundraisers.
“We want to make sure that everybody gets that support, not just Maya,” Hunt said.
“That’s super important to us, to help those families that lost their loved ones, because you can’t explain how devastating that is, to have your child go to school and then not come back.”