Lilly Whitaker, 8, of Santa Clarita, died Friday while recovering from open heart surgery, a family friend told KHTS.

Lilly was fighting for her life, according to family and friends, after undergoing open-heart surgery Thursday.

She showed signs of progress after the surgery while still on life support, according to Kirk Stinson, a friend of the family who initially reached out to the station seeking blood donations and prayers for the family.

Whitaker fell ill over the weekend and when her condition did not improve, her family took her to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where doctors there quickly realized she had a rare life-threatening condition.

She was taken to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she was diagnosed with a disease that’s attacking the fluids around her heart.

From a previous story:

Correcting information that went out earlier in the week, the girl is actually O negative; however, all blood donations made in her name to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles help, according to friends and family.

The challenges have brought the family together, said family friend Kirk Stinson, a family friend who also works with Lilly’s father at Stinson’s company.

She underwent surgery, but then there was an issue with bleeding from the surgical wounds, and is now being assisted machines that are helping her breathe.

She has shown signs of improvement, but doctors are unsure if she’ll be strong enough to breathe on her own once the machines are removed.

A blood drive is being organized on short order in response to the outpouring of concern. Due to the proximity to the rest of her family, a blood drive for the little girl is being organized at the Granada Hills Little League field. (The address is located below.)

The family is working with members of the community to determine when the blood drive would take place.

KHTS will update with the information as soon as we receive it at the top of our Facebook page.

Right now, the family is asking for blood donations and prayers, said Stinson.

The address for the little league field where the blood drive is being held is 16035 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills.

From a previous story: 8-Year-Old Santa Clarita Girl In Need Of Blood Donations

An 8-year-old Santa Clarita girl is fighting for her life Wednesday, leaving her family asking the community for blood donations to help her survive.

Lily Whitaker, 8, of Santa Clarita, fell sick the other night and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

However, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital doctors quickly realized the girl needed a specialty care for her condition that required she be airlifted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Lilly has a disease that’s attacking the fluids around her heart, and on Monday night, she went into cardiac arrest and needing open heart surgery.

“Today, they’re going to be cleaning around the heart. Said Kirk Stinson, a family friend of the girl, who works with her dad at his company, Plumbing by Kirk. “Hopefully, she will react to stimulation, but time will tell.”

In the meantime, the situation highlights the dearth of blood donation facilities in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“The only request they have is blood platelets,” said Stinson, “and prayers. Thats why we’ve been putting out the vibe and telling everybody.”

The tragedy unfortunately highlights the need for more blood donation facilities in the Santa Clarita Valley.

If someone would like to donate blood to help Lilly, the most direct way is to make an appointment at the Blood Donor Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

The information to donate is listed below:

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Blood Donor Center

4650 Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

United States

Phone: 323-361-2441

Email: blooddonor2@chla.usc.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Monday-Friday: 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: 6:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.