Neighbors, Schools Aid Seriously Ill Langley Band Member

Langley High School is working to aid a member of its student band who was seriously injured during a recent trip to New York.

"Randy Liang, 14-year-old Freshman and member of the Langley High School band, was attending an out of state school band function the weekend of March 12th.  He became ill Saturday and went back to his hotel room where he passed out during the night from pain and was rushed to the emergency room in the morning with a ruptured spleen," says a note on the Forestville Elementary School site. Randy's younger brother attends Forestville.

His mother is with him in New Jersey, "staying 24/7 in the hospital at her son’s bedside where he remains in the trauma unit," the posting said.

Matthew Ragone, Langley High School principal, sent a note to the Langley community Friday afternoon  saying, "I have been in daily contact with Randy's mother. . .  and just finished speaking with her a few minutes ago.  Everything, including his condition, his prognosis, his plans for tomorrow, next week and the coming weeks are all uncertain.  The only thing that I know for certain is that his condition is improving and that he is excited to come home. "

The information on the Forestville site says, "Unfortunately, this is a family that has come upon some very difficult times in the past year."   The father  "died this past summer after an 8 year battle with cancer.  Due to his condition, they were unable to obtain life insurance."  The mother  "did return to work . . .  however, in February 2011, her consulting contract with the government was not renewed and she has been out of work, without benefits, since February 28th.

"At that time, she was given the option to sign up for COBRA insurance but struggled with being able to afford the monthly fees of $1,200.  Today, she has decided to fill out the COBRA paperwork as she is still within the 45 day window to register; however, making ends meet will now be challenging since she is unable to seek employment as she needs to be with her ill son. 

The information on the Forestville site appears to come from myNeighborsNetwork, a well-known source of news and information about the Great Falls community run by Sharon E. Rainey, a Great Falls resident.

Ragone said in his note, "The community's support has been tremendous.  Forestville Elementary School parents have already coordinated efforts and asked for donations in a variety of specific forms. . . The response has been amazing." Randy's mom  "is overwhelmed with gratitude." 

He said Langley is working on:
1.  A unified and easy way to make monetary contributions for the family.  Stay tuned for more information.
2.  Team Randy t-shirts will be sold by Band Parents and students to raise money and to have a visual show of support for Randy around the building and around the community. 
3.  Band students have started their own coin drive. 
4.  Fairfax County Public School officials are working on insurance options for the family.  They are not yet certain if this can happen.  I should know something on Monday.
5.  Social Workers from Forestville, Langley High School, and the hospital are in communication about resources and needs, including Randy's medical needs.

A Wachovia account has been  created for Randy's family. Donations can be made to any Wachovia branch into the Liang Family account. A mailing address:
 
Wachovia
Liang Family Account
750 Walker Road
Great Falls, VA 22066
(703) 759-2722