Help Carmen Rivera Breathe Again

A Mother’s Fight for Life

Please Help Carmen Rivera

My name is Angella Abugattas, and I’m reaching out today with a heart full of pain, hope, and desperation.

My beautiful mother, Carmen Rivera, is in the fight of her life.

Not long ago, she suffered two devastating strokes that left her unconscious, fragile, and barely able to move. For days, she lay in an ICU bed, silent, still — and we didn’t know if she would ever come back to us. But my mom is a warrior. Slowly, she began to move her head, then her hands, then her feet. It was as if her soul was whispering, “I’m still here. Don’t give up on me.”

She was eventually transferred out of intensive care, but her condition remains critical. She needs around-the-clock care. She can no longer speak, eat, or sit up on her own. A gastrostomy now provides her nutrition, but even that has become complicated — her body is weak, and feeding her is a daily challenge. Every breath, every movement, every hour is a battle.

We had to make the painful but necessary decision to transfer her to Lima, where she could receive the specialized care she needs. But in Lima, everything is more expensive — medical bills, therapy, transportation, equipment, feeding supplies, and more. Sadly, many of these life-saving services are not covered by insurance. We are doing everything we can, but the costs are simply more than we can handle alone.

My mother has always been the heart of our family — strong, kind, full of life. To see her like this is something no child should ever go through. But we still believe. We believe in her strength. We believe in miracles. And we believe in the kindness of others.

That’s why I’m here — to ask for your help.

Every donation, no matter how small, will help us keep fighting for Carmen. To pay for her care. To keep her stable. To give her a real chance at recovery. Your help could mean more time, more hope, more healing.

If you can’t give, please help us by sharing her story. Let the world know that Carmen Rivera is still fighting — and that we, her family, will never give up on her.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your love, support, and prayers.

With deep gratitude,

Angella Nicole Abugattas Rivera