Olivia Ann Rivera

Hi guys! My name is Olivia, and I’ve given my mommy, daddy, friends and family quite a scare this month. I was diagnosed with something called ALCAPA, which means something is wrong with my heart. I’ve had to have quite a few surgeries, and I have a long road ahead of me, but I’m fighting everyday. It seems like every time I take a step forward, I take two steps back. But, I have the best team taking care of me and my mommy and daddy by my side every day while the best big brother waits at home for me. Any donation would be greatly appreciated to help my family so my parents can stay by my side and help me get through this.

ALCAPA is Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, which is a heart defect. The left coronary artery (LCA), which carries blood to the heart muscle, begins from the pulmonary artery instead of the aorta. In the normal heart, the LCA originates from the aorta. It supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle on the left side of the heart as well as the mitral valve (the heart valve between the upper and lower chambers of the heart on the left side). The aorta is the major blood vessel that takes oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
In children with ALCAPA, the LCA originates from the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery is the major blood vessel that takes oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
Since the heart muscle is not getting oxygen rich blood, open heart surgery is required to move the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery and attach it to the aorta which then allows the heart muscle to obtain oxygen rich blood.