Saint Leo University basketball coach Andrea Aquino announced through her Twitter handle that she will be heading into open-heart surgery.
Andrea Aquino is a 6-foot-9 forward from Caacupe, Paraguay, who played for the Oregon State women’s basketball team.
Her college career was marked by adversity, as she redshirted her freshman season and did not play during the following two years due to health challenges.
Despite the setbacks, she made a memorable appearance on Senior Day in 2022, scoring the first two points of her collegiate career.
Before attending Oregon State, she starred in high school in New Jersey, where she averaged 17.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 7.0 blocks per game, earning All-State honors.
She also led Club Libertad to a championship in Paraguay.
Off the court, she majored in Management and valued Oregon State for its coaching style.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she served as the head basketball coach at St. Leo’s and St. Michael’s College.
From March 2023 to October 2023, she played for the West Adelaide Bearcats Basketball Club.
Basketball Player And Coach Andrea Aquino Needs Open-Heart Surgery By The End Of July 2025
Andrea Aquino, who leads the basketball team as head coach, is facing a severe and life-threatening heart illness.
On June 24, 2025, Andrea took to her official Twitter and Instagram handles and announced that she would be undergoing open-heart surgery. She wrote,
I’ll be heading into an open heart surgery The road hasn’t been easy, but I’ve never walked it alone. I need your help. Open heart surgery isn’t easy, mentally or financially. With your support, I’ll be able to cover my post-op expenses ❤️🙏🏽
Andrea Aquino
I’ll be heading into an open heart surgery
— Andrea Aquino (@andrea_aquino6) June 24, 2025
The road hasn’t been easy, but I’ve never walked it alone. I need your help. Open heart surgery isn’t easy, mentally or financially. With your support, I’ll be able to cover my post-op expenses ❤️🙏🏽https://t.co/RQfoA8S8Sg pic.twitter.com/XxxSvaBCG0
She has requested her fans and close ones for love and some financial support.
Moreover, Andrea’s mother, Nilda Aquino Reyes, who works at SENEPA: NATIONAL MALARIA ERADICATION SERVICE, also took to her official Facebook handle and asked for prayers and support. She wrote,
Good afternoon, my dear friends / as.de Caacupe and the Cordillera Department. I share with you. something very important for me as a mother and you on the other side will understand me this situation of my daughter Andrea that with FAITH IN GOD EVERYTHING WILL BE OK. I want to feel truly the companionship of everyone who can share this message.
Nilda Aquino Reyes
Andrea has also organized a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to cover the costs of housing, food, transportation, and basic living expenses for at least six weeks after surgery.
The campaign aimed to collect around $11,000, but it has already collected over $12,615.
She announced that she will have to undergo surgery by the end of July 2025.
Aquino also stated that her aortic root had been enlarged to 48mm, which is far beyond the standard range of 25-35mm.
Her surgery will take place in Florida, United States, far from her home in Paraguay.
Close friends and relatives have poured their love and support for Andrea through their social media handles. One person wrote,
In the name of God and the Virgin Mary, it will be a success. Stay strong, Andrea.
Luci Miranda
Another person wrote,
Almighty God in his infinite mercy will be with you, Nilda; stay strong, Andrea.
Elva Agustina Diaz Romero
The third person wrote,
In the name of God and the Virgin, everything will turn out well, my friend. Much strength to you.
Lumi Tullo
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Andrea Aquino received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Oregon State University in 2022.
- From October 2021 to January 2022, Andrea served as the PAC-12 sales and business office intern at Oregon State Athletics.
- Andrea was engaged to Igor Henrique Dos Santos, a marketing and advertising manager.
