The Jessica Del Toro Romero Story
Baby Jessica Romero was born October 26, 1983 at Denver General Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Jessica was born 3 months premature weighing one pound, 7 ounces. The Rocky Mountain News crowned her the “Miracle Baby of Colorado". Everything was developed except her lungs. She was born with a collapsed left lung in which she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension Disease. PH is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries, lungs, and heart. Baby Jessica lived at Denver General Hospital until she was 2 years old. Doctors approached parents Eric & Debra Del Toro after many complications with a life changing decision. The air in Colorado is too thin due to the elevation, and the cold weather could effect her, so doctors told them to give baby Jessica a shot at a normal life, they would have to move to the Bay Area, CA. The family was notiified in July 1986 and relocated to the Bay Area, September 1986. Imagine it this way having a paper or plastic bag over your head and trying to breathe, that is what it's like for her. Her lungs are basically like swiss cheese. In 1986 Eric, Debra and oldest daughter Erica left behind their hometown, friends, family, and moved to the SF Bay Area, California. It was a hearthache being away from their biggest supporters but the Del Toro’s kept their faith strong. Jessica was told she would never see her childhood years, but she defeated that. Overtime she developed the famous nickname “BONES” such a beautiful skinny soul that always remained two digit weight numbers. When she hit triple digits (100lbs) the Del Toro’s celebrated. Because of Jessica's disease and condition she remaines on oxygen her whole life. She was told that she would never see her teenage years but she defeated that. She has oxygen tanks by her side 24/7, they make life possible, but exhausting, which makes seeing her team “The Denver Broncos” play at home impossible. The Broncos make Jessica happy and she lives every play like it's the last one! She truly is the definition of a DIE HARD Bronco fan! The die hard passion that the Del Toro’s share for the Denver Broncos and being blessed the opportunity to fly home over the years is what has kept this family close to their hometown, friends and family. Jessica was told she would never get to see her adulthood years nor walk down the aisle at her wedding but she defeated that too and is currently engaged to her college sweetheart of 10 years, Aaron Bennett. As Jessica grew, trips to Colorado decreased and doctor appointments increased. Her remaining tissue on her lungs is deteriorating and has lead to the only option "lung transplant". My name is Vanessa Del Toro and my sister is Jessica Romero our "miracle baby". My sister has continuosly said to me "I just want to breathe sis, and someday see my team, The Denver Broncos play in person." With that said, our next step for her is a double lung transplant at UCSF Hospital in San Francisco. The Denver Broncos accomplished their goal by becoming Super Bowl 50 Champions. It was ironic that one of Jessica's biggest supporters was her Grandpa. He recently passed away in October 2015. His name was Levi Romero and ironically the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium. Jessica did earn her fund for a Super Bowl ticket. However, she was unable to attend Super Bowl 50 because of her condition. She has had frequent amounts of shortness of breaths lately. She would have needed the full on red carpet VIP experience if she would have attended Super Bowl 50 because of her health. As much as she wanted to go actually taking her to the game would have been TOO big of a risk. As a family, we decided to bring the "tailgate party" to her at our home in Modesto, CA. She was surrounded by her biggest supporters and felt like she would have if she was in Bronco Country. CBS Channel 13 Sacramento was there to film the entire celebration and they aired her story after Broncos won the Super Bowl. Bringing the tailgate party to my sister as if we were in Denver was Amazing!!! We cheered the entire game & got crazy..it was like we were in South Stands of Sports Authority, so many smiles, emotions & happy tears, it was an INCREDIBLE day!! We created a memory that we will cherish forever as a family..This Super Bowl was for you BONES! Currently, Jessica's health has declined due to her deterioating lungs. Once she completes her final heart test, she will be listed for transplant immediately. We need your help to continue this GoFundMe mission to help us with surgical living costs once she has her transplant. We appreciate your donation and may God Bless you always. #TeamBONES