What started as a comfort meal inside a hospital room is now fueling something much bigger.
Dalton, an 8-year-old Arizona boy with an incredible spirit, has spent his life facing more than most. He was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare condition where the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped. Over time, he also developed protein-losing enteropathy, a serious complication that prevents his body from retaining essential nutrients.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital has become a second home. In just the past year, Dalton has undergone three open-heart surgeries and spent nearly 50 days admitted, including 30 days in the ICU. Through it all, he continues to show remarkable strength and positivity.
Somewhere between procedures and recovery, one thing became a constant. Honey Seared Chicken from Pei Wei.
It wasn’t just a favorite meal. It became a small sense of comfort in an unpredictable routine. Nurses even began to recognize the pattern. If Pei Wei was being delivered, it was almost always for Dalton.
That moment caught attention beyond the hospital walls.
After being tagged in a social media post, Pei Wei Asian Kitchen learned Dalton’s story and decided to turn his go-to order into meaningful support. On Thursday, April 30, a portion of proceeds from Honey Seared Chicken at all Pei Wei locations nationwide will go directly to Dalton and his family. The fundraiser comes at a critical time. Support will help cover ongoing medical treatments, hospital stays, recovery care, and daily living expenses as his family navigates an intense and ongoing journey.
“Between surgeries, hospital stays, unexpected job changes, and navigating a temporary pause in medical insurance, it’s been an incredibly overwhelming time for our family,” says Krista DeMicheli, Dalton’s mother. “Knowing that the community is standing with us means more than words can express.”
For Pei Wei, the response was immediate.
“When we heard Dalton’s story and that Honey Seared Chicken became a small bright spot during his hospital stays, we knew we had to step in,” says Brian Dreeland, Vice President of Marketing at Pei Wei Asian Kitchen. “This is about turning a meal that Dalton loves into real support for him and his family.”
For those who want to follow along or show additional support, updates on Dalton’s journey can be found on Instagram at @demichelidiaries, and more details about the fundraiser are available via @peiweiasiankitchen. A GoFundMe organized by his family is also available for direct contributions.
What makes this moment resonate is its simplicity. One kid, one favorite meal, and a community finding a way to show up in a big way.
Insider Takeaways
- An Arizona 8-year-old inspired a nationwide Pei Wei fundraiser.
- Dalton has undergone three open-heart surgeries in the past year. He spent nearly 50 days in the hospital, including 30 days in the ICU.
- His favorite meal, Honey Seared Chicken, sparked the entire campaign.
- A portion of April 30 proceeds will support medical care and daily expenses. The fundraiser takes place at Pei Wei locations across the country.
To learn more, visit peiwei.com.
