Please help the Zarate family with medical bills

Hi, my name is Jessica Grams and I am starting a fundraiser for my co-worker, Abelardo Zarate (aka AZ) and his wife, Mariana Huerta to help with medical bills and travel expenses.

AZ and Mariana had their dream vacation planned to travel to Rome, Italy back in March of 2020. Unfortunately, their vacation was cancelled then due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were finally able to get their vacation rescheduled and left for Italy on May 2nd. Their dream vacation turned into a nightmare. On May 4th Mariana suffered a stroke on their first day in Rome and was taken to Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Addolorata hospital. Mariana was treated in the ICU for a week before she had surgery to remove multiple blood clots blocking blood supply to the area of the brain responsible for breathing. She has been in a medically induced coma and is still in the ICU today.

AZ has been staying at hotels in Rome to be by his wife’s side ever since this tragedy. He has had to endure unexpected hotel costs, daily travel expenses to get around the city, food and other miscellaneous expenses. At this time Mariana’s prognosis is unknown, as well as when she will be able to return to the United States safely.

Please consider donating whatever you can to help our friend and co-worker at this time. I will update this page when more information becomes available.