MANATEE COUNTY – An outpour of love and support for the family and friends of a Manatee County teen who lost her battle to COVID-19 last week.
Family and friends are mourning the loss of 17-year old, Aryana Santana, who lost her battle to COVID-19. She fought for her life in intensive care for more than a week.
“She would make everybody laugh, goofy, she had all kinds of jokes, overall a good person,” said Aryana’s cousin, Davian Sanchez.
Residents across the Suncoast came together Sunday morning raising money for the Santana family.
“Some of these people I know, some of them I don’t, and just to see the outpour that people have literally taken time out of their day to put this together, to come out here and support a family that some of them may or may not know, it’s amazing, it really is,” said Aryana’s Aunt, Cincy Sanchez.
The fundraiser was not the first for organizers of the event, Leticia Vela and Deysi Mejia. They say they are always willing to help when there is a need.
“It has nothing to do with our race, whoever you are, were willing to help, it doesn’t matter if you are Hispanic, or not, we’re a community, and we want to help,” said Organizers of the Fundraiser, Leticia Vela and Deysi Mejia.
Family members say Aryana was active with yearbook and JROTC as a senior at Palmetto High School.
“It won’t be the same, we’re basically missing our other half, she helped us get through the day, everything was fun with her, and no class was boring so it’s totally going to be different,” said Aryana’s friends, Briana, Evelyn, Lia, Melissa, Steph and Saydi.
“Every time she came around, everything was positive, or you look so beautiful today, or everything, she was so supportive, she loved absolutely everybody, she was just pure love, it’s just going to be tough, without that, you know,” said Sanchez.
If you would like to help the Santana family, you can donate to their Go-Fund-Me page here.
