Sant Joan de Deu Children’s Hospital

Now two years old, Podolsky was born with a heart condition called atrioventricular septal defect, in which a large hole exists in the middle of the four chambers of his heart. This condition allows blood to mix between all four chambers without obtaining oxygen. Podolsky's cardiac condition leaves him sick, short of breath, and malnourished. Podolsky lives with his mother on a small island off of the west coast of Haiti. He likes playing with stuffed animals and toys and listening to music. His family is seeking $1,500 to support costs for preparation and transportation for Podolsky to access heart surgery. Another organization, Chain of Hope UK, is helping to cover the cost of surgery. His mother shared, "I am looking forward to this surgery so that my son can become healthy and strong, and will stop becoming sick so often."

Aleaza is a toddler from Haiti. She lives in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince with her mother and grandparents, and likes listening to music and playing with blocks. Aleaza was born with a condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between two chambers of her heart. Blood flows through this hole without first passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and short of breath. To correct this condition, she will undergo open-heart surgery and a patch will be sewn into place to close the hole. Aleaza will fly to Spain to receive treatment. On February 6, she will undergo cardiac surgery. Another organization, Chain of Hope UK, is contributing $25,000 to pay for surgery. Aleaza'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 Aleaza's family overseas. Her mother says, "My daughter has been very sick ever since she was born, and I am excited that her heart can finally be healed!"