For many people in Allen, Love Week is just another way to help out the community, but for sixth grader Bryan Sotelo and his family, it’s life changing.

Love Week is an annual fundraiser in Allen run by IB seniors. Its goal is to raise money for families in need in the Allen community.

People in the community select families through nominations, which are narrowed down by a group of seniors. This year, Love Week will be held in honor of Bryan Sotelo and his family.

Last July, Sotelo came down with what seemed to be a common cold. Within three days, he began to lose sensation in his limbs and soon was completely paralyzed. Doctors at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas identified the cause as Enterovirus D68, a polio-like disease that can cause fever, cough, body aches, and shortness of breath.

After being admitted to the hospital, Sotelo began his slow recovery. His mother, Yadira Garcilazo, lost her job after spending her time caring for her son. The family is struggling to continue to pay for medical expenses and give Sotelo the care he needs.

Kaylee Stanton, one of the two main seniors in charge of Love Week, sees it as an opportunity to make students aware of others in Allen.

“Just because I live in a good community doesn’t mean everyone has it as good as I do,” Stanton said. “Some of the situations were really eye opening.”

Love Week will be held the week of February 9 and consists of spirit days, fundraisers, and a festival at the end of the week from 6-9 pm in the AHS cafeteria.

T-shirts and buttons can be purchased in the Eagle Edge for $15 and $2 respectively. All proceeds will go to the Sotelo family.