Rocio’s Laryngotracheal Reconstruction Surgery

When my cousin Rocio was born in Peru in 2004, she was diagnosed with uremic hemolytic syndrome which lead to kidney failure.  Rocio suffered many complications during her first six months of life in the hospital. She was intubated for 6 months and subsequently experienced progressive confusion, loss of mobility and  rapid deterioration in her level of consciousness.. Her doctors in Peru told us to be prepared that her life may be short, but Rocio kept fighting to live. As a consequence of being intubated for so many months, she was diagnosed with subglottic tracheal stenosis. A permanent tracheostomy tube was inserted through a cut in the neck below the vocal cords to allows air to enter her lungs. As a baby, Rocio suffered additional complications, including two heart attacks. She was told by her doctors in Peru that they could do nothing more to help her and encouraged her to seek more advanced care in the United States. It would seem like all hopes were lost at having a normal life but miraculously after 14 years she finally obtain a medical visa and She made the trip and has pending surgery at the Mayo Clinic to reconstruct her trachea so that she can remove her tracheostomy tube and live a healthier, more normal life. Rocio has a tremendous spirit and will to live. What she does not have is the money to pay for this vital surgery. Please consider a donation to help my cousin have the life she was meant to live.