Recent Penn State alumna Alyssa Eastridge is currently in a medically-induced coma after suffering oxygen deprivation to her brain in mid-July.

After graduating from the College of Communications in May with a degree in Telecommunications, Eastridge’s mother surprised her with a trip to California, where she hoped to one day live. According to her friend and roommate, Eastridge began feeling sick during the trip, and went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing upon her return to the East Coast. Currently, doctors are unable to determine the cause of the illness.

Doctors told Eastridge’s family and friends they had exhausted all other options, and though she is in the coma to give her brain a chance to recover from the trauma, she currently shows no signs of higher cognitive function. Despite the efforts, doctors do not expect Eastridge to wake up again. If she were lucky enough to do so, however, she would have severe brain damage.

This is a very difficult time for Eastridge’s mother, both emotionally and financially. To help with the later, Eastridge’s cousin started a page to help raise money to cover both the short term medical costs and additional costs of long term care.

With her degree, Eastridge hoped to one day work producing animation. Our thoughts are with Alyssa and her family and friends during this difficult time.

About the Author

Lexi Shimkonis

Lexi is an editor-turned-staff writer who can often be found at either Irving's or the Phyrst (with the chances she'll have her backpack being the same). Lexi is a senior hailing from Spring City, PA (kind of) and studying Civil Engineering. Please email questions and/or pleas for an Instagram caption to lexi@onwardstate.com, or for a more intimate bond, follow her on Twitter @lexshimko.

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