Mom who gave birth to 1 lb. baby surprised at Ronald McDonald House with gift from a Secret Santa - East Idaho News
Secret Santa

Mom who gave birth to 1 lb. baby surprised at Ronald McDonald House with gift from a Secret Santa

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The Secret Santa is back and this Christmas is bigger than ever!

The EastIdahoNews.com team is busy helping a local man gift more than $500,000 this holiday season. A lot more. Secret Santa is a real person who wants to remain anonymous and hopes to help as many individuals in our community as he can.

We will be surprising deserving people and families every day from now until Christmas with gifts unique to their circumstances.

Several months ago, Maria and Alex Cortez welcomed their first child into the world after Maria was rushed into emergency surgery for a life-threatening condition. Angel Alexander Cortez was born on July 13 weighing only 1 lb. 10 oz.

Angel’s condition was very, very grave and he was flown to Primary Children’s Hospital where he has been since September. One month later, he was intubated and doctors had to resuscitate him after he experienced a code blue.

Angel has experienced multiple surgeries and will be in the hospital for several more months. At the time of his birth, Maria worked at The Gables of Idaho Falls. She has since had to quit her job so she could be closer to Angel. Alex recently took a temporary job in Salt Lake City so he could be closer to his wife and son.

Recently the transmission went out on their vehicle so they are having to borrow a family member’s car. They are staying at the Ronald McDonald House and hope to return back to eastern Idaho soon.

Secret Santa learned about the Cortez family and asked the East Idaho News elves to travel to Utah with a special gift. Watch the video above to see the surprise!

watch Secret Santa videos

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