Hello Everyone,

My name is Victoria Lozada, I’m writing this on behalf of my sister Valentina Barreno. A couple weeks ago my sister and Brother-in-law (Robin) met with their team of doctors, and unfortunately the news was heavier than we had hoped for. Robin has been diagnosed with a congenital heart condition, meaning this is something he was born with but had gone undetected for most of his life. It was discovered in the most unexpected way — while Robin was doing something he loves most: working out.

One morning, while exercising with his wife, Robin suddenly suffered a stroke in the middle of their workout. What started as a normal day quickly turned into a medical emergency that none of us could have anticipated.

During the last few weeks and series of appointments, the doctors discovered another hole in Robin’s heart, bringing the total to three holes. They also explained that the right side of his heart has become enlarged to nearly twice the size of the left side, because it has been working so hard for so long.

Because of this, the doctors are now telling us that Robin will need open heart surgery.

Robin is a loving husband, a devoted father, a proud grandpa, and a caring uncle who has always been there for everyone else - a completely selfless man. He is also a proud veteran who served our country in the U.S. Army as an E4 Specialist from 1993 to 1996. Throughout his life, Robin has always taken pride in staying active and living a healthy lifestyle, which makes this diagnosis even more unexpected and difficult for our family to process. Seeing him face something this serious has been incredibly difficult for our family, but we are holding onto faith and taking things one step at a time.

Before surgery can happen, Robin still needs two additional tests, including a cardiac MRI that will confirm everything the doctors have found so far. If everything goes as expected, the doctors are preparing for open heart surgery sometime in May.

This has been overwhelming emotionally, physically, and financially. Between doctor visits, testing, and the surgery ahead, the road in front of us is long. But we know Robin is strong, and we are incredibly grateful for the love, prayers, and support we’ve already received.

If you are able to help in any way — whether through a donation, a prayer, or by sharing Robin’s story — it truly means the world to our family.

Thank you for standing with Robin and helping us get through this one step at a time.

— Victoria Lozada on behalf of the Barreno family