Prayers and support are needed for the family of Westchester County Police Officer Adrian Comacho, whose 19-year-old granddaughter, Athena, has been on life support ever since suffering a medical emergency in September.
Comacho, a 20-year member of the force and a military veteran, is stationed in Mount Kisco and is well-known for his work with youth in the community.
Athena, who has Type 1 diabetes, graduated from Pleasantville High School in 2023.
Brett Hochron, a retired county police detective and friend of the family, has set up a GoFundMe page to help them with medical bills and other expenses.
On Sept. 3, Athena had a heart attack that had been triggered by DKA, or diabetic ketoacidosis, Hochron’s post said.
DKA is a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough insulin to process blood sugar. The liver then breaks down fat for energy and that produces acids called ketones, which can accumulate to dangerous levels in the body.
When Athena went into cardiac arrest, a friend called 911. EMS crews got her pulse back after performing 20 minutes of CPR and by administering medication. She was taken to White Plains Hospital where she again went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated after 25 minutes.
At present, the teen is on a ventilator “with limited brain activity,” has had a feeding tube placed, and is receiving dialysis, Hochron said.
Because diabetes affects circulation, her lower right leg had to be amputated.
Family members, including 11-year-old sister Cassiopeia (Cassi), have literally stayed by Athena’s side night and day in the hospital’s cardiac care unit.
According to her mother, Adriana Comacho, Athena will eventually be transferred to a medical facility specifically designed to focus on patients with clinically complex medical conditions.
She’s “still in a coma and hasn’t given us any brain activity as of yet,” Adriana wrote in her latest update on GoFundMe.
“Athena and her family need all the prayers and support they can get right now,” Hochron said, adding: “It’s going to be a long go.”
Before this all happened, life was good for Athena.
“She was taking college-level classes and working,” Hochron said.
He has organized a GoFundMe campaign, benefiting the Comacho family. As of Friday, Sept. 27, it had raised $25,175 of its $30,000 goal.
To help, visit gofund.me/daea8618.
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