The parents and family of Baby Melchizedek (Mel) Soli received a wonderful Christmas present when the 4-month-old infant was able to travel to Hawai’i last Tuesday, Dec. 23.

According to a family member, the outpouring of love and support from people here and all over the world has been unbelievable. Initially, the family had set up a fund to help pay for Baby Mel’s medical treatment and the goal was $8,000. However, the family surpassed that goal, reaching donations of $10,425 in just one week.

“Thank you all for sharing Baby Mel's page and Samoa News too! Numerous people have stopped by the hospital asking, "Where is the family who owns the baby on the newspaper?" They have donated generously, refused to tell us their names, wanting to be anonymous and most importantly, prayed for baby Mel and family,” wrote a family member.

“Our cup of blessings overflows! Fa'afetai, fa'afetai tele lava! Thank you for giving us hope and love as we seek the medical care baby Mel needs. It is our prayer that our loving Heavenly Father bless you all abundantly for the kindness shown to our baby Mel. We intend to use baby Mel's story to advocate for better health care services for the people and children of American Samoa.” the family member continued.

Baby Mel is being treated at the Kapiolani Children’s Hospital and Santa stopped by to give him a Spiderman blanket and a kitty toy.

Baby Mel has already undergone an MRI and an EEG and the family has already been informed of the results. “We are heartbroken but remain positive,” said one family member. “There's brain damage that has caused loss of vision (possibly permanent), seizures are expected regularly and he may not be able to walk. This is a result of when he flat lined and they worked to resuscitate him (at the LBJ Medical Center).

Hours before, we notified the (LBJ) staff that baby didn't look right, with increased heart rate and vomiting. We weren't taken seriously. We will continue to keep the faith and count our blessings. Thank you all for your love and support.”

In the meantime, the family reports that the service at Kapiolani is “wonderful”

“We mean no disrespect to LBJ hospital or their staff. There are some great employees there and there are some that, well, from experience could use a little more compassion and training. We are thankful for all that LBJ hospital has done but there's definitely room for improvement to help save lives of the people in American Samoa.

“We will address the errors in time through the right channels. But for now, our focus is on baby Mel's recovery. We are truly blessed you all are helping to carry this burden with us. No matter what, God is good... all the time!”

Baby Mel underwent four surgeries in less than a month at LBJ because his abdomen was swollen and an infection was suspected.