Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral

Coldy is a baby from Haiti who lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Coldy has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Coldy will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On November 14th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart using a patch. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5000 to pay for surgery. Coldy's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Coldy's family overseas. From Coldy's mother, "I am hopeful that after his surgery my son will start eating better and gaining weight!"

Lyse is an eight-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives with her mother, father and two younger sisters in Port-au-Prince. Her mother works as a pediatric nurse, and her father works as an office administrator to support their family. Lyse is in the fourth grade and is an extremely intelligent and focused student. Lyse was born with patent ductus arteriosus, a cardiac condition in which a hole in the heart that normally closes shortly after birth remains open. As a result, blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Lyse feeling weak and short of breath. Lyse will travel to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On August 24, she will undergo cardiac surgery. This $5,000 surgery is subsidized by International Children's Heart Foundation. Lyse's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Lyse's family. "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping me to have a normal heart!" says Lyse.

Alexandra is a 20-year-old young woman from Haiti. She lives with her mother and older sister in Port-au-Prince. Alexandra has finished high school and is looking forward to attending college after resolving her heart condition. She hopes to attain a degree in business. About six years ago, Alexandra had rheumatic fever, which caused damage to her mitral valve, causing blood to back up into her heart and not properly circulate through her body. On August 18, Alexandra will be flown to the Dominican Republic, where she will be treated at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral. Heart Care Dominican has contributed $8,000 towards Alexandra's care. Her family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany her family overseas. "I am excited to have my heart surgery so I can have the energy to go back to school!" says Alexandra.

Berthony is a 24-year-old young man from Haiti. He lives with his mother in Port-au-Prince. Berthony is currently a university student studying engineering. When not studying, he enjoys making art. Berthony has a cardiac condition called severe mitral and aortic regurgitation, a result of rheumatic fever he had in adolescence. Due to his condition, blood backs up into his heart and does not properly circulate throughout his body. On August 18, Berthony will be flown to the Dominican Republic, where he will be treated at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral. Mitral Foundation has contributed $10,000 towards Berthony's care. His family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany his family. "I would like to thank all of my supporters for working so hard to make my surgery possible, I know it has not been easy!" says Berthony.

April is a five-year-old girl. She lives with her mother, grandmother, and two older brothers in a town in the eastern part of Dominican Republic. She attends kindergarten and loves dolls and princesses. April was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. This means a hole in her heart, which normally closes shortly after birth, remained open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and weak. Although April is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. She will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, April will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 17. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for April also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with April's surgical care. Her mother says, "Our family will be so happy when the surgery is finished and we know that April is safe and well."

Isaias is a three-month-old baby born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. This means hole in his heart, which normally closes naturally in an infant’s first days of life, instead remained open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Isaias sickly and unable to gain weight. Isaias lives with his parents in the Dominican Republic, and he is their first child. His father is a motorcycle messenger, and his mother stays at home to look after him. Although Isaias is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. He will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. During surgery, the hole will be closed by inserting a catheter into his heart, which will then patch it with a small device. First, Isaias will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 16. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Isaias also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and him family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Isaias's surgical care. His mother says,"I have been very worried about Isaias ever since he was a newborn and I could see that he was not healthy. I am praying for a good result from this surgery."

Sandy is 15 years old and lives in a small town in central Dominican Republic with his parents and one sister. He is in the eighth grade, and his favorite activity is riding his horse named "Blanquita." Sandy was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. Although Sandy is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. He will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Sandy will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 13. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Sandy also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and him family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Sandy's surgical care. "I am excited to have this surgery so that I can help my family and play with my friends without getting tired," says Sandy.

Ashley is a four-year-old girl who lives in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with her mother, who stays at home to take cafe of her, and her father, a machinist. She is a sweet, outgoing child who loves to make new friends. Ashley was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus ateriosus, which means she was born with a hole in her heart between two major blood vessels. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Ashley short of breath. Ashley also has Down syndrome. On May 26, Ashley will travel from the Dominican Republic to Haiti to begin treatment at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to fund Ashley's travel costs, cardiac exams, medications, and social support. Ashley's cardiac care is being subsidized by Gift of Life International by $4,500. Ashley's mother says, "Our family is very excited that Ashley can finally have this chance to heal her heart."

Yeuriel is a three-year-old toddler who lives with his parents in the Dominican Republic. He is their first child and enjoys playing with his set of toy trucks. Yeurial was born with a congenital heart condition, in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart. This leaves him sick and short of breath. Yeuriel will undergo surgery on May 25 with our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Gift of Life International is subsidizing the surgery with $8,500. HCA is seeking an additional $1,500 to fund the remaining cost of the surgery.

"Samuel's sickness has been very hard for our family,” shares Samuel’s mother. Samuel is a three-year-old boy from a small town in the Dominican Republic. He lives with his parents and three sisters, and his favorite activity is playing a toy drum set. Samuel was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect (ASD), meaning that there is a hole between the two upper chambers of his heart. Blood flows through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Samuel weak and short of breath. Although there is a surgical method that can close the hole in Samuel’s heart, his family cannot afford this treatment or the necessary pre-operative care. But we can help for $1,500. This sum will sponsor the cardiac exams, lab tests, and medications that Samuel needs to undergo on May 24, prior to his surgery. Another organization, Gift of Life International, has contributed $8,500 to fund his surgery. “We are looking forward to the day when he is healthy," Samuel’s mother says. Let’s make sure that that day comes as soon as possible for this toddler’s family.

Beatriz is a six-year-old student from the Dominican Republic. Beatriz lives with her mother, who currently stays at home with her. She visits her father regularly, who lives separately and works in hotel maintenance. She is in the first grade and loves princesses and the movie "Frozen." Beatriz was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood flows through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and short of breath. Although Beatriz is not from Haiti, her surgery is taking place in partnership with our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Beatriz's surgery is being subsidized by Gift of Life International for an amount of $4,500. Beatriz's mother says, "I am excited that I will see my little girl be able to play and dance without having problems." On May 24, Beatriz will undergo cardiac surgery. Her family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery preparation. Our medical partner, HCA, is requesting $1,500 to fund medication, exams, and one night of hospital stay.

Narolin was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. This condition causes a hole in the heart that normally closes shortly after birth, to remain open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her short of breath. Narolin lives in the outskirts of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic with her father, mother and older sister. She is in the first grade and enjoys school. Although Narolin is not from Haiti, her surgery is taking place in partnership with our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance. With financial assistance from Gift of Life International, Narolin will undergo heart surgery on May 24 in Haiti. Now, Narolin and her family are requesting assistance to pay the transportation and surgery prep costs that they will incur while traveling from the Dominican Republic to Haiti. "We are all so happy that our daughter can have this chance, and we want to say thank you to everyone," shares Narolin's mother.