Westchester Medical Center

Richardson is a baby from Haiti. He lives with his parents in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; his father is a security guard and his mother stays at home with him. Richardson has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. His diagnosis involves several related conditions, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. On May 24, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage from his valve. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Richardson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "We are hopeful that after the surgery our son will gain weight and be more active."

Dieukenson is a toddler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and two older brothers in downtown Port-au-Prince; his parents are both market vendors. Dieukenson 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 sick and short of breath. On May 23, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Dieukenson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "Our family will be sure to pray for everyone who is helping our son!"