Denis William Rivera León is my cousin who lives in Ecuador. On Wednesday, December 10, Denis was riding his motorcycle to work when a car hit him, sent him flying, and sped off. His helmet saved his life, but now he needs emergency surgery. The vehicle's license plate was ripped off and jammed into his bike, allowing authorities to identify the driver. However, the police in Ecuador are corrupt and refuse to work unless they are paid in cash.

Unlike in the United States, doctors in Ecuador require payment upfront before they will operate. At the first hospital Denis went to, the doctors demanded a large sum to perform the surgery he desperately needs. After being transported to another hospital, a different doctor agreed to perform the surgery for much less. Since my family could not afford to pay the hospital staff, they kicked him out of the hospital. He is currently waiting at home until my family raises enough funds for the surgery. The hospital is not providing any supplies for his care while we wait. The financial and physical burden is on my family to care for him around the clock. They have to purchase things such as medications and incontinence briefs out of pocket. They even had to purchase the gurney he was transported to the hospital on.

Denis is only 33 years old. He has a wife and two children, ages 9 and 7, who are hoping for their father’s recovery. Your support could help save Denis’s life and keep his family together. Any contribution, no matter the size, would mean the world to Denis and my family.

The goal is set to $20,000. The surgery costs $5,000, and the remaining funds will be used to cover ongoing care before and after surgery, such as pain management and briefs, a wheelchair, and physical therapy. In the event there are complications and extra surgeries are needed, we hope this amount will also provide a buffer. Even a small donation of $5 or $10 makes a huge impact. We are deeply grateful for any support and consideration to donate during this critical time.