John Kendy is an active, hard-working 18-year-old from Haiti.
"John Kendy's favorite activity is soccer, however for the past several years he has been unable to play; instead he watches matches on TV," our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), tells us. John Kendy is a sophomore in high school and is studying hard to one day become a lawyer or doctor.
John Kendy has severe rheumatic heart disease as a result of a fever he had when he was 12 years old. HCA shares, "this fever severely damaged his mitral valve, preventing his heart from pumping adequately and leading to heart failure. If untreated, this would eventually be fatal."
Medical care in Haiti is underfunded and often difficult for patients to afford. HCA partners with other nearby organizations to ensure that Haitians can access the medical attention that they need. They have arranged for John Kendy to be transported to the University of Vermont Medical Centre, where doctors will perform surgery to repair his mitral valve.
$1,500 will fund preparation and transportation costs for John Kendy to receive the surgery he needs.
"I am excited to have my surgery so that I can walk to school without getting tired and start playing soccer again," John Kendy adds.