Houston girl celebrating birthday in hospital asks for cards

HOUSTON – A 7-year-old girl with Down Syndrome is asking for a little birthday love.

Laila Gerik's seventh birthday is today, but she's having to celebrate inside a hospital room. She is currently at the Texas Children's Hospital with upper respiratory failure.

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"This kid loves to dance. She's such a little ray of sunshine," Laila's mother, Marissa Gerik said.

Marissa said she brought her daughter to the hospital Sunday after she was having trouble breathing and has been there since. 

A family friend of the Gerik's sent KPRC 2 a message saying that all Laila wants for her birthday are some cards. 

Marissa said that Laila has been receiving birthday wishes from the hospital staff and now, people who do not know her are sending her messages as well.

"It's so heartwarming. There are still so many good people in this world," Marissa said.

If you'd like to wish Laila a happy birthday, send cards to:

Texas Children's Hospital

6621 Fannin St. Houston, TX77030

7th floor, room 21-2

If you'd like to contact the family, you can find Laila's mother on Facebook.

UPDATE: I don't have any fantastic news unfortunately at the moment, but I know a lot of you would like to know the...

Posted by Marissa Gerik on Thursday, September 22, 2016