Emily Progin, Content Manager
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Release: Immediate
“AQUAMAN” SERGIO ECHEVERRIA CELEBRATES HIS LIFE DAY
Four Years Since Life-Changing Accident Left Him with Paralysis
MIAMI BEACH, Fla.—This Wednesday, 65-year-old Sergio Echeverria will be celebrating an important date with his family—but not his birthday. February 26 is Sergio’s Life Day: the day he survived a life-altering spinal cord injury in 2021.
Sergio’s Life Day is an opportunity to give thanks for the support he’s received, share updates on the past four years of his recovery, and ask for donations to the nonprofit Help Hope Live to help offset medical expenses and related costs.
How to Support Sergio
- Donate! Make an online donation at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/18571/
- Participate! Enter a special Greece vacation giveaway at: https://events.helphopelive.org/event/6438/signup/
- Share! If you can’t donate, consider sharing Sergio’s story on social media.
About the Nonprofit
- Help Hope Live is a national medical fundraising nonprofit
- Donations in Sergio’s honor are tax deductible
- The nonprofit verifies Sergio’s medical diagnosis
- Funds raised are administered by the nonprofit
- Funds raised can only be used to cover verified medical expenses and related costs
Sergio’s Story
Sergio, lovingly known as Aquaman, is a Miami Beach resident and loving husband who was involved in a life-altering accident on February 26, 2021. He is now a quadriplegic living with paralysis from the neck down at the C6-C7 level.
While Sergio fully committed to rehabilitation to help gain as much mobility, independence, and medical stability as possible, financial barriers quickly stood in the way. Sergio’s wife, Lisa Lardi-Echeverria, knew the costs associated with the injury would be more than they could financially handle alone.
That’s why they began fundraising with the nonprofit Help Hope Live just one month after the accident at https://helphopelive.org/campaign/18571/
“This level of paralysis is one of the worst things that can happen to a person,” explained Lisa, “but everyone who knows Sergio knows he’s determined and never gives up.”
Since the injury, Sergio and Lisa have faced and conquered many challenges together. Sergio has dealt with medical setbacks, mental and emotional trauma, a loss of independence as he has needed to rely on 24/7 support, and barriers to accessibility for returning to the place he loves most in the world: the sea.
“My accident left me chained to a chair,” explained Sergio, “but my heart is free. I was driven to get back to the water.”
His advocacy for accessible beach access inspired his community to take up the cause with him. In his second year post-injury, Aquaman finally returned to the ocean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g13zG7ZbFAY
In addition to emotional support, Sergio’s community has raised an incredible $400,000 over the past four years to help. However, insurance covers only a fraction of the costs associated with life with paralysis, and the financial need is lifelong.
Currently, Sergio’s greatest need is a wheelchair accessible van for safe transportation, a new power chair, and consistent activity-based therapy.
“Our goal is a life without limits,” explained Lisa. “Every donation brings us one step closer. We thank our loving and generous friends for never giving up on us.”
Donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be administered by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $188 million to pay patient expenses. ###
