'Miracle On Earth:' Bergen Man Fights COVID For 100 Days

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The Arriaga family knew what COVID-19 was capable of, having lost a family member during the pandemic.

So when Ruben Arriaga Sr., of Saddle Brook, began gasping for air in January, the family called 911. The situation got worse when Arriaga was put on a ventilator on Feb. 5.

The family knew the unfortunate reality of what could follow, as Arriaga's brother died from COVID-19 just months earlier, according to News12.

As Arriaga battled the virus for 100 days within the walls of Valley Hospital, including 69 on a ventilator, his family navigated a feeling of "mental torture," according to a fundraiser established for them.

But his story doesn't end in sadness and death.

Instead, it ends with Arriaga being moved out of Valley Hospital with a lineup of nurses and medical officials cheering him on, clapping as he recovers from the virus he fought for months.

Though Arriaga is COVID-19 free, his health concerns aren't yet in the past. He was transferred to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he'll be evaluated for a lung transplant, according to the fundraiser.

With a transplant potentially in his future, the fundraiser is hoping to raise $20,000 for the family, who "will need to pay for housing to have at least one family member with [Arriaga] daily."

As of Monday afternoon, 94 people have already donated more than $11,000.

"Thank you all so much for all of the support and generosity. This means so much to the Arriaga family and a huge weight has been lifted off of their shoulders because of all of you," wrote the fundraiser's organizer, Jennifer Palko.

"His journey is far from over, this is only the next chapter."

To see the GoFundMe page, click here.

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