Rita's Road to Recovery

Update 6/5/2025

Rita is no longer on ECMO - a major milestone in her healing journey. While this is a hopeful step forward, she continues to face serious medical challenges. She remains on dialysis due to kidney and liver complications caused by the infection and is currently awaiting surgery for a tracheostomy to support her breathing. Thankfully, this tracheostomy is not expected to be permanent.

Rita will require extensive rehabilitation to relearn how to walk and regain other basic functions. Her road to recovery will be long and demanding, both physically and financially.

Through it all, Rita's strength and fighting spirit continue to shine. Your support means the world to her and our family. Every donation helps ease the burden of ongoing medical expenses, specialized care, and the rehab services she will need in the months ahead.

Thank you for standing with us.

Rita is a fun, vivacious 12-year-old girl who loves hanging out with her mom, going to the park, swimming, acting out movies, and all things Disney. Her smile lights up the room, and her laugh is contagious. Rita instantly steals the hearts of everyone she meets.

On Saturday, April 26th, Rita became suddenly ill. Her mother brought her to the ER where it was determined Rita had a pneumonia infection that spread to her heart, resulting in myocarditis. Rita was transported to Boston Children's Hospital where she is currently in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, receiving the best possible care.

Rita is currently on ECMO to give her heart and lungs time to recover and is receiving dialysis for kidney and liver failure related to the infection. She developed compartment syndrome in her calf, requiring a fasciotomy. Despite everything she has been through, Rita's fighting spirit continues to shine through every day.

Rita's mother has been at her side every minute throughout the past several days.

Rita has a long road of recovery ahead of her, with an abundance of specialists and therapies to get her back on her feet.

As Rita's family works to navigate this challenging time, please consider donating to take some of the financial burden off the family so they can focus on what is most important, Rita.