Help for Fire Fighter Darrick Pino #IAFFlocal244

With very sad, confused and vulnerable hearts the Pino family is asking for support for our beloved family member. My name is Alicia Pino, I am the niece of Darrick Pino

My uncle was a healthy 56 year old Fire Fighter -on 2/26/23 after finishing his shift, he went to the emergency room where they found numerous blood clots and he was rushed to The Heart Institute of New Mexico. The amazing doctors and nurses attemped removal of the blood clots located in his heart via surgery on 2/27/23. During surgery Darrick’s heart stopped but thankfully doctors were able to resuscitate him. However, the blood clots remained.

After six days of wonderful medical care, the doctors determined Darrick’s heart is compromised and he needs a heart transplant.

On 03/04/23 medical staff arranged for Darrick to be immediately transported to the Cardiovascular Center at University of Utah located in Salt Lake City.

At this time, the future is very unknown. The funds you all help us raise, will be used to help with medical costs/travel expenses and lodging.

Darrick’s Fiancé Alicia Montoya will be living in Utah to support Darrick during this difficult process and traveling to NM for her children Anna and Nika.

Hopefully, bringing them to visit, as Darrick loves them dearly.

Darrick is also a father to a fellow community servant, police officer Andre Pino. Andre will also be traveling to Utah to visit his dad and support Alicia, as often as possible.

At this time, the process of housing is unknown. Short term apartments and VRBOs are being discussed. Timing on a transplant can be anywhere from a few weeks, to months and even a year.

Our family is very optimistic for a quick return, but we are concerned about Darrick's rare blood type, making finding a donor difficult.

We ask that Family, Friends, his Fire Fighter brothers and sisters, strangers and anyone wanting to help a wonderfully hilarious man TO PLEASE DONATE!

Anything helps.

If you’re unable to donate, remember prayers, positive thoughts, and energy come at no cost.

For those that have been fortunate enough to personally know this amazing man and possibly visiting his self built outdoor patio - I challenge you to contribute what you would spend on a night out having dinner and drinks.

The food, drinks, and most importantly the fun we all have had because of PINO is undeniable.

This man is a legend, he might pick on you, give you a hard time, but his ❤️ is like a bull. We need his heart to be as resilient as he is and as he has taught (forced) us to be.

Let’s get him healthy enough to not only continue to give us all a hard time, but back to being the active man we all know him to be.

“It’s easier to take than to give. It’s nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime.” - Joan Marques

Please share as much and as often as possible. 

Thank you very much! 

-Darrick’s Family