Help Rico's medical expenses

Hi, I'm Bernice, Rico's little sister. We're from all over the world since we've moved so many times growing up but now we call Lombard, Illinois, home. I've started this fundraiser to help Rico's medical expenses and post-operation recovery costs.

For those of you that know him, you know Rico is a big teddy bear who is kind-hearted and fun. He's a loving father and a hard worker. He's probably served you a beer or two at one of Chicago’s many festivals or bars.

Rico needs your help.

He has congestive heart failure and is currently in an induced coma with machines helping him breathe and pump blood. When he gets through this episode he will need a portable machine 24/7 to help his heart pump blood before he can be put on the heart transplant list.

It will be a long road to recovery but he will transform from the Hulk into Ironman.

While I don't know the exact amount of money he needs, I'm guessing the three surgeries Rico's had as of May 2nd and all of the machines and IVs he is hooked up to will cost a pretty penny.

EDIT MAY 5, 2023: Rico is awake! Thank you to everyone who reached out, prayed for him and our family, shared the gofundme and/or donated!

He'll still on life support with the ECMO machine until the doctors can install a device to his heart to help it pump.

EDIT MAY 31, 2023: Rico had a mild stroke about two weeks ago and is gaining back his strength on his left side. Today he is in heart surgery to install the LVAD.

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a pump that is used for patients who have reached end-stage heart failure. The LVAD is surgically implanted. It is a battery-operated, mechanical pump, which then helps the left ventricle (main pumping chamber of the heart) pump blood to the rest of the body.

EDIT JUNE 5, 2023: He's awake and extubated! He still has a bit of trouble speaking because of the tube that was down his throat. The LVAD is successfully working, however, the right side of his heart is still weak and so the doctors still have him attached to the ECMO machine.

It will be a long road to recovery but we are very happy with his progress.

We love you, Kuya.

Any amount of donations will be helpful and very much appreciated. I will open a bank account specifically for Rico, who will also be an authorized user, to tranfer the donations into. All the money will go toward medical expenses and other costs associated with recovery including paying the insurance deductible, buying accessories for the LVAD batteries to be comfortably worn, hiring help as needed for when he is back home, and any household adjustments he may need such as a grab bar in the shower.

EDIT SEPTEMBER 7, 2023: Rico's home! It's definitely an adjustment coming back, but he's happy to be sleeping in his own bed and able to eat non hospital food. He has a nurse come twice a week to check on his LVAD and vitals and is getting his strength back with physical therapy.

Thank you to all who have reached out and messaged well wishes for Rico and my family. It’s very heartwarming to know he is very loved.

Lead with love and kindness,

Bernice Grino