8-Year-Old with Rare Heart Condition Gets Life-Changing Surprise After His Takeout Reviews Go Viral | People Magazine

“When Pei Wei said they wanted to do a fundraiser, a give-back day for our family…I couldn’t believe it,” Krista DeMicheli tells PEOPLE. By Tereza Shkurtaj

At only 8 years old, Dalton has spent much of his life navigating challenges far beyond his years. Despite being born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening condition in which the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped, Dalton’s journey has been shaped by resilience and a steady sense of joy.

In just this past year, Dalton has undergone three open-heart surgeries — bringing his total to six — along with 50 days in the hospital, 30 of them in the ICU. And yet, through it all, he has remained remarkably upbeat, finding happiness in moments big and small.

@demichelidiaries

Honey seared chicken… every single time 😂🥢 thank you @PeiWei for the gift card 🤍 #peiwei #foodreview #yummy #familycontent #phoenixeats

♬ original sound – Krista | DeMicheli Diaries

Whether he’s stepping onto a baseball field or reviewing his favorite takeout meal, Dalton’s spirit has never wavered. “I just don’t know anybody who could go through what Dalton has gone through and still be just so excited about life,” his mother, Krista DeMicheli, 38, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Krista was about 20 weeks pregnant when she first learned something was wrong with her baby’s heart.

“You go into it not expecting to hear bad news,” she admits. “You have this picture of what your life’s gonna be like with your first child…and in that moment, everything was just put on pause, because I didn’t know at that point what the future would hold for him. So, it was a very, very scary time for us.”

What followed was a whirlwind of uncertainty, fear and life-altering decisions that would shape their family’s path. Immediately after Dalton was born in July 2017, he underwent his first open-heart surgery at just 6 days old, followed by two more in early childhood. 

For several years after, Dalton was able to enjoy a relatively typical routine for a young child. But as he got older, new complications emerged, including a rare condition called protein-losing enteropathy that causes his body to lose vital proteins faster than it can replace them.

As symptoms like fatigue and swelling worsened, Dalton faced repeated hospitalizations, and his parents were eventually presented with two options: a heart transplant or another complex surgical procedure. Krista and her husband chose surgery, hoping to give him the best chance at a more stable future.

What followed, however, was an intense and unpredictable stretch of three open-heart surgeries in just six months due to severe complications. “The same surgery three times,” Krista says. “He’s an anomaly… they don’t know why this happened to him.”

Today, Dalton is on six different medications, combined with ongoing care, but Krista says his outlook has remained nothing short of remarkable.

“It’s very hard to put on this ‘feel bad-for-me type’ of attitude,” the mother of three shares. “[Dalton’s] not perfect, he does have those days, but 95% of the time, it’s… let’s have fun.”

That same mindset carried into those long hospital days, where the 8-year-old began filming food reviews, which quickly became a source of joy not just for Dalton but for everyone around him.

“He always wanted to do the grand reveal,” Krista says, referring to her son’s hospital meals. “[Dalton] would lift the lid… and say, okay, today I’m having eggs and french toast… and everything’s a 10 out of 10.” 

But one meal consistently stood out above the rest: the honey seared chicken from Pei Wei Asian Kitchen. “He had me order Pei Wei for him seven times,” Krista reveals. “He was like, I don’t want cafeteria food anymore.”

That favorite dish, however, became more than just a meal. It became a moment of comfort and connection during an otherwise difficult time.

“It really brought a sense of normalcy into a really weird and scary time in our lives,” Krista admits. “It allowed us to just enjoy a good meal together… and it just started to become something that [Dalton] looked forward to.”

When Krista first began sharing Dalton’s reviews online, it was initially just to document their journey, but instead, it quickly sparked a wave of support from families facing similar diagnoses.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from people… how grateful they were that we started this,” she shares. “We wanted to show families that while it is scary and it is uncomfortable sometimes, there’s so much good and hope.”

Among those who came across Dalton’s videos was Pei Wei themselves.

“What stood out immediately was Dalton’s spirit,” the company tells PEOPLE exclusively. “He’s been through more than most adults, yet he shows up with this incredible positivity and energy. You can feel it the moment you talk to him. He’s not defined by what he’s going through — he’s defined by how he approaches it.”

After sending Dalton a care package filled with surprises, including a gift card for more of his favorite meal, the company decided to take it a step further.

@demichelidiaries

While Dalton was at Phoenix Children’s, he ordered Pei Wei through DoorDash 7 times because their Honey Seared Chicken was his favorite. One night he did a quick review and gave it a 10/10, and Pei Wei commented saying Dalton might be their “favorite little influencer.” 🥹 A few days later this surprise package showed up at our door. Moments like this mean so much to families who spend time in the hospital. Thank you @Pei Wei Asian Kitchen for making Dalton feel so special. Safe to say we had Pei Wei for dinner that night. ❤️ #daltonstrong #heartwarrior #PeiWei #foodreview #feelgoodstory

♬ Vlog ・ Stylish city pop(1275391) – orino

“Once we saw Dalton’s story, we knew we wanted to help in a way that felt personal and meaningful,” the company shares. “When we learned that Honey-Seared Chicken was his go-to order… it just clicked.”

On April 30, Pei Wei will host a nationwide fundraiser across all its locations. A portion of proceeds from every Honey-Seared Chicken order — whether placed in-store, online or through the app — will go directly to Dalton and his family, helping ease the burden of ongoing medical care and daily expenses.

“It turns a simple meal into something bigger,” Pei Wei emphasizes. “An opportunity for people across the country to support Dalton and his family in a very real way.”

For Krista, the support has been overwhelming. Many families navigating similar journeys have reached out online, finding comfort in Dalton’s story and strength in his outlook. Many have also pitched into the family’s GoFundMe.

“Social media is, I always say it, it’s such a powerful thing, and it could be used for such beautiful things,” Krista emphasizes. “When you use it for good things, so much good can come out of it.”

The DeMicheli family is also in the process of building Dalton’s Field of Dreams Foundation, with the goal of giving back to their community in the same way so many have supported them.

Today, Dalton is back to doing what he loves — playing baseball, spending time with his siblings and continuing his food reviews with the same enthusiasm that started it all. His journey is ongoing, but his spirit remains unchanged.

“Share your story,” Krista tells PEOPLE. “There’s so many people out there that want to hear it, and that are happy to help.”