A 15-year-old Varsity cheerleader, Faith Serafina Arrula, has been fighting for her life since falling into a coma caused by bacterial meningitis.
What began as a sudden illness on Sunday, September 14, 2025, has turned into a tense wait for her family, friends, and schoolmates.
Following the tragic incident, her best friend, Giselle, with whom she shares a close bond, took to her Instagram to
In fact, Deborah L. Marlow, Giselle’s grandmother, was the first to share the heartbreaking update about her on Facebook.
On September 19, in a Facebook post, she wrote about asking for prayers for her granddaughter’s very best friend, writing:
asking for prayers …. my granddaughter’s very best friend is on life-support in California. She has bacterial meningitis and is in a coma. She’s a sweet, kind, smart teenage girl
Deborah
Soon after, on September 22, 2025, she organized a prayer vigil to rally support. The event took place on Tuesday, September 23, at 6:15 p.m. local time outside a community spot in Upland.
This is a prayer vigil for Faith Arrula who is still on life support and has been in a coma (caused by a bacterial meningitis infection) since Sunday, 14th September.
Deborah
Deborah described Faith as a sweet, kind, and intelligent young woman who earned straight A’s in her classes.
Further in the comment section, Deborah shared that although she never met Faith in person, she felt deeply connected to her through her granddaughter Giselle’s social posts and stories.
She described their bond that was full of selfless love, writing:
young, talented, smart, kind girls; always helpful, full of love of life, committed athletes and both who studied hard in school to get straight ‘A’s while training 4-hours every day.
Deborah
Heartbroken Deborah can’t seem to process the fact that Faith fell critically ill with bacterial meningitis in just a week.
She struggles to make sense of it, saying that even at her age, she cannot accept the unfairness of life. She wrote:
Then to just have this sweeteheart whacked and her life taken within a week of getting sick? What? Why? I know as Im in my mid 70s I should understand the circle-of-life …but today I just dont.
Giselle
Likewise, Faith’s best friend, Giselle, wrote a heartwarming Instagram post about her, expressing her gratitude for their friendship.
She recalls the day they played volleyball at the beach. They shared countless moments, such as cheering together at practice, walking to the gas station or T-Pumps after school, and eating lunch together every day.
Giselle expressed her gratitude, penning:
I’m so lucky to have that happen and make a ton of memories together.
Giselle
Giselle recalled the time when Faith would give her apple juice.
She further shared that when Faith made the varsity cheer team, everyone celebrated, renaming their group chat to honor the “Varsity Queens.”
Giselle cherishes their last game, where they were able to do a special all-flyer stunt they’d been excited about.
She described Faith as the sweetest girl and an incredible friend, grateful to call her her best friend, writing:
You’re the sweetest girl I’ve ever met and an amazing best friend. I’m glad I was able to call you my best friend I love you forever 💗🦕 #livelikefaith
Giselle
During this difficult time, we pray for the speedy recovery of Faith Serafina Arrula.
