UFC's Dana White Provides Financial Aid to Tumbler Ridge Shooting Victim

White helps 12-year-old Maya Gebala and her family with treatment and recovery costs after the tragic school shooting.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:56am

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An extreme close-up of a medical device or piece of evidence related to the Tumbler Ridge school shooting, captured in stark, dramatic lighting to convey the gravity of the situation.Dana White's financial support for the Tumbler Ridge shooting victim highlights the UFC's commitment to helping those in need, even in the face of tragedy.Houston Today

UFC President Dana White stepped in to provide financial assistance to Maya Gebala, a 12-year-old survivor of the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. Gebala suffered life-threatening injuries and has been fighting for her life in the hospital. White flew Gebala and her family to the U.S. for specialized treatment, covering all costs for her care and lodging for the family.

Why it matters

The Tumbler Ridge shooting was a devastating tragedy that impacted the entire community. White's generosity in supporting Gebala's recovery highlights the UFC's commitment to giving back and helping those in need, even in the face of such a traumatic event.

The details

After seeing Gebala's struggle, White reached out to her family and offered to help in any way he could. He arranged for Gebala to receive treatment at specialized hospitals in Los Angeles, Houston, and Seattle, covering all the costs for her care and her family's lodging. White has been working closely with his team to ensure Gebala gets the best possible medical attention during her recovery.

  • Gebala was initially hospitalized at a children's hospital in British Columbia.
  • White recently provided an update on Gebala's condition at the UFC Winnipeg post-fight press conference.

The players

Dana White

The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a multi-billion-dollar mixed martial arts promotion company.

Maya Gebala

A 12-year-old survivor of the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, who suffered life-threatening injuries and has been fighting for her life in the hospital.

Cia Edmonds

Maya Gebala's mother, who has been sharing her daughter's journey on social media and praised White for his contributions to her daughter's battle for survival.

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What they’re saying

“I saw it on the news, and I reached out to the family. That was it. I said, 'I would like to help anyway that I can.' And obviously, the situation she is in, you know. When you're a parent, you want the best possible care and they felt... I don't wanna s—t on anybody, it's not really my place to talk about this publicly. But they wanted to give their daughter the best chance they could, and there's some great places in LA. There's a good place in Houston. There's a great place in Seattle.”

— Dana White, UFC President

“Wow. What beautiful generosity from Dana White. Thank you for helping this wonderful little girl and her great Canadian family.”

— Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Opposition

What’s next

White and his team continue to work on ensuring Gebala receives the best possible care and support during her recovery. The family has also opened a GoFundMe page that has already raised over 75% of its $650,000 CAD goal, with White's involvement helping to raise awareness and encourage more donations.

The takeaway

Dana White's compassionate response to the Tumbler Ridge shooting tragedy, providing financial assistance and facilitating specialized medical care for the young victim Maya Gebala, demonstrates the UFC's commitment to supporting its community and using its resources to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.