Akron Children’s Hospital

Samuel is a nine-year-old student who lives with his parents and three siblings in Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. He is currently in third grade and enjoys studying history and science. Samuel has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a combination of four different congenital heart defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Fortunately, Samuel is scheduled to travel to the United States where he will undergo cardiac surgery on September 14th at Akron Children's Hospital. During the procedure, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart and remove the blockage from his valve. A portion of the cost of Samuel's treatment is being supported by Akron Children's Hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is raising the remaining $1,500 to cover the costs of his surgery prep, which includes all labs, medication, check-up and follow-up appointments, and the passports needed for HCA’s social workers to accompany Samuel and his family overseas. Samuel's mother says, "I have been very worried about my son's health for many years. I am looking forward to being able to stop worrying so much after this surgery!"

Darensky is a 10-year-old student from Haiti. He lives with his mother and grandparents in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He is in the third grade and likes building things and making crafts. Darensky has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus and tracheal ring. Two holes exists between two major blood vessels near his heart; blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs, leaving him weak and oxygen-deprived. The treatment that Darensky needs is not available in Haiti, so he will fly to United States to undergo surgery. Many years ago he had one hole closed so this is the second surgery he needs, and his family has been waiting for this moment for a long time. Fortunately, on March 10th, Darensky will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the remaining hole that leaks blood between his two main blood vessels at the same time. During the surgery, he will also have a muscular blockage removed from his trachea that affects his ability to breathe. Another organization, Akron Children's Hospital, is contributing $12,000 to help pay for surgery. Darensky'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 Darensky's family overseas. HIs mother told us: "I am very happy to know that after this surgery my son will finally be able to run and play normally!"

Stephanie is a seven-year-old student from Haiti. She lives with her aunt, uncle, and three cousins in a rural area in far southwestern Haiti. She enjoys going to school and church. Stephanie has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Stephanie will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On April 9th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in Stephanie's heart with a patch and remove the blockage from her valve. Another organization, Akron Children's Hospital, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery. Stephanie'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 Stephanie's family overseas. Stephanie's aunt shared, "we have been waiting a very long time for this surgery and are relieved it can finally happen!"

Hervensley is a toddler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and older brother in Cap Haitien, a city in northern Haiti. He likes playing with toy cars and listening to the radio. Hervensley has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Hervensley will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On February 26th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Hervensley's family needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 costs include labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Hervensley's family overseas. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery. His mother said, "Our family will be very relieved and thankful when our son is finally healthy!"

Kylian is a baby from Haiti. He lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; his mother is a nurse and his father manages a small store. Kylian has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Kylian will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 11th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a patch to close the hole in his heart, and will remove the blockage from his valve. Another organization, Akron Children's Hospital, is contributing $20,000 to help pay for surgery. Kylian's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and transport. 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 Kylian's family overseas. Kylian's mother shared: "I am so happy that my son has the chance to be healthy and safe."

Bedens is a baby from Haiti. He lives with his parents on an island off the west coast of Haiti. His father is a local radio presenter, and his mother cares for him at home. Bedens has a cardiac condition called coarctation of the aorta. A portion of his aorta has a muscular blockage, causing blood to back up into his heart and leading to heart failure. Bedens will fly to United States to receive treatment. On March 20, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will cut out the blockage in his aorta so that blood can flow more freely. Another organization, Akron Children's Hospital, is contributing $35,000 to pay for surgery. Bedens'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 Bedens's family overseas. His father says, "My entire family is very grateful for this opportunity to save my son's life!"

Ricardo is a three-year-old boy from Haiti. He lives in an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. He has many friends and enjoys playing with them and drawing cartoons. Ricardo was born with a cardiac condition called tricuspid atresia, in which one of the four valves of his heart is missing. As a result, blood cannot flow normally through his heart and into his body, leading to heart failure. Ricardo will fly to Akron Children's Hospital to receive treatment. On June 18, he will undergo cardiac surgery. During surgery, doctors will create a new pathway for blood to flow around the missing valve. Akron Children's Hospital is contributing $25,000 to pay for surgery. Ricardo'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 Ricardo's family overseas.