Texas Linebacker Dalton Santos Pleas for Donations for Mom's Open Heart Surgery, Fans Answer

via Getty Images On Sunday afternoon, Texas linebacker Dalton Santos put out a plea to the Twittersphere to help raise money for his mother's open heart

via Getty Images

On Sunday afternoon, Texas linebacker Dalton Santos put out a plea to the Twittersphere to help raise money for his mother's open heart surgery:

Raise $ for my Mom's open heart surgery!
Vista's Angry Aortic Aneurysm | Medical Expenses - http://t.co/aPwhpZaFmB: http://t.co/hrArU09NAP

— Dalton Santos (@Daltonsantos55) April 20, 2014

According to her donation page on YouCaring.com, Dalton's mother Vista was diagnosed an aortic aneurysm that requires open heart surgery. She's a single mother of three who works as a nurse, but unfortunately doesn't have health insurance to cover the cost of the surgery.

The initial fundraising goal for the surgery was $5,000, which was quickly met and surpassed.

It's unfortunate that this needed to be clarified, but Texas' compliance department indicated that donating to the cause was not an NCAA violation:

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $18,000 had been raised on behalf of Vista, with the overall fundraising goal now set at $75,000 (the fundraising goal was reportedly change after another doctor's visit on Monday).

Vista posted an update on YouCaring.com on Tuesday:

I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for all of your prayers, calls, messages, FB post and visits. Although I can't read much of what has been posted right now because it's just so overwhelming and emotional I want you to know you are lifting my kids up! ... The Longhorn Family, Coach Strong and your staff thank you for taking care of my oldest baby! God bless you and Blessings to you all.

Dalton also expressed his gratitude:

Please continue spread the word, It makes my heart so full & big to see how many people out there care. It's absolutely amazing. God bless

— Dalton Santos (@Daltonsantos55) April 22, 2014

If interested, you can read more and donate to Vista's surgery here.

UPDATE: As of Wednesday morning, donations topped $28,000. KLTV ran this segment last night about Vista and her family.

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