Jean Emile is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his mother, father, and two brothers in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He has been attending preschool, and likes playing with cars and action figures.
Jean Emile has a cardiac condition called large ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sick and short of breath.
Jean Emile will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On April 6, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Health City Cayman Islands, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery.
Jean Emile’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 Jean Emile’s family overseas.
His mother says, “I have been praying for years that my son could have this surgery. I am very excited the time has arrived!”