Christella is a student from Haiti. She lives with her mother and aunt in a small village in the mountains of northern Haiti. She is in the sixth grade, and enjoys studying math and science in school.
Christella has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect with subaortic membrane. Her heart has two defects: a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart, and a piece of tissue that partially blocks one of the heart’s four valves. These conditions prevent blood from flowing normally through the heart, and could eventually be fatal.
Christella will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On June 7, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch, and remove the tissue blocking her valve. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery.
Christella’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 Christella’s family overseas.
She says, “I am nervous about my surgery but excited to fly on a plane!”