Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría

Darlene is a three-month-old baby girl from Bolivia, who lives with her parents and one older brother. Her mom works as an entertainer at children's birthday parties, while her dad is a day laborer. When she was born, Darlene's mother noticed that she had difficulty breastfeeding and took her to the pediatrician, who discovered a heart problem. Darlene has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus; a hole exists between two blood vessels next to her heart. This condition prevents Darlene's blood from circulating properly, causing her weakness and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition goes untreated. On February 11th, Darlene will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Darlene's family needs help to fund the costs of her cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of her exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Darlene's mother says: "I'm grateful for all your help. I want to help children in the future as you helped mine."

Matias, who is nine months old, lives in eastern Bolivia with his parents and his older brother. His mother is a homemaker, while his father works selling car parts. Matias' mother noticed that he had a very low appetite and struggled with his milk bottle. She took him to a doctor, who discovered that Matias has a cardiac condition called atrioventricular septal defect. Because of this condition, Matias has a large hole in the center of his heart, causing blood from all four of the heart's chambers to mix. Therefore, the blood doesn't circulate properly to deliver oxygen to Matias' body. The heart works too hard, making it difficult for Matias to grow and to have enough energy. Matias also has Down syndrome. On March 3rd, Matias will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will use patches to close the hole in the center of his heart, so that blood flows normally through the chambers. Matias's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Matias' mother said: "I pray my son will have a successful surgery, so he can have a healthy life. I have to be strong for him."

Lucy is a seven-month-old baby from Bolivia. She lives with her mother and seven siblings. Her mother runs a small shop out of her home to sell snacks and other products, while her father works in agriculture. Lucy was born with a cleft lip and palate, and is scheduled to have surgery in the coming months. She also has a heart condition called patent ductus arteriosus, which causes Lucy's blood to circulate poorly. She experiences a lot of weakness, and she's at risk of heart failure if the issue goes untreated. With three different heart conditions, her doctors plan to first address a hole that exists between two blood vessels next to her heart and then allow her heart to grow before treating her other two conditions. On April 14th, Lucy will undergo heart surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of her cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Lucy's mother shared, "I'm glad we are here at this hospital; we travelled from far so my little daughter can have her surgery."

Aitana is a young girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom and her dad, who have a small convenience store. Aitana has a twin sister and an older brother; they live in the northern part of Bolivia. Where they live, there are no cardiologists. So, when her mom noticed that her heart was beating too fast, she took her to a different area where she found out she had a heart condition and needed surgery. Aitana has a cardiac condition called an atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. On April 15th, Aitana will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Aitana's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Aitana's mother shared, "We were looking forward to this day, I trust everything will go well, I pray for that."

Ana is a one-year-old girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom, who sells vegetables, her dad, who is a locksmith, and her twin sister. When Ana was born, her mom noticed that she couldn't gain weight, and she was always tired. Doctors soon discovered her heart condition and informed her mother that she needed surgery. Ana has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. Ana was also born with a cleft lip and palate. After heart surgery, doctors can then proceed to repair her cleft. On May 6th, Ana will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Ana's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Ana's mother shared, "I pray this surgery goes well so my little daughter can feel better and have a happy life."

Mateo is a toddler from Bolivia. He is his parents' first child. He lives with his mom, who is a homemaker, and his dad, who works distributing soda. When he was born prematurely at 30 weeks, Mateo had to be in an incubator where doctors detected his heart condition. Mateo has a cardiac condition called tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), a combination of four heart conditions, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Mateo does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On May 6th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow more normally. Mateo's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Mateo's mother shared, "I'm grateful my child is going to receive his surgery so he can grow and be a healthy boy."

Santiago is a seven-year-old boy from Bolivia. Since Santiago's mother passed away when he was a year old, his adult sister has been taking care of him. Unfortunately, due to his heart condition, he developed a brain abscess that required three surgeries to treat and to make him medically stable for his heart surgery. Santiago is in good spirits and has been looking forward to this day so he can complete his surgeries. Santiago has a cardiac condition called total anomalous pulmonary vein return. The pulmonary veins are connected to an abnormal location in the heart, and as a result, oxygen-poor blood is circulated through the body rather than being sent to the lungs. On May 13th, Santiago will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will reattach the vessels to the heart at the normal location, so that blood can flow normally through the heart and body. Santiago's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Santiago's sister says, "I am so grateful my little brother can have his surgery now. I pray and trust all will go well."

Eimy is a newborn baby from Bolivia. She lives with her two older brothers, her mother who is a homemaker, and her dad who works as a roofer. When Eimy was born, her mom noticed that her face looked blue, she was breathing fast, and could not breastfeed well. Eimy was diagnosed with a cardiac condition called transposition of the great arteries. The two major arteries connected to the heart are attached to the heart in an anatomically abnormal configuration, meaning that blood cannot flow normally through the heart and body. Doctors explained that she needed urgent surgery. On May 19th, Eimy will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will detach the two arteries and reattach them in their normal positions, so that blood can flow normally. Eimy's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Eimy's mother says: "I have so many feelings right now, but I trust that my baby will have a successful surgery. I am so grateful to be here."

Kataleya is a sweet 13-year-old girl from Bolivia. Kataleya lives in the northern part of the country with her mother, who is a homemaker; her dad, who works in agriculture; and her younger sister. Kataleya was taken to the doctor with complaints of headaches, and it was during this visit that doctors heard a murmur and discovered her heart problem. Kataleya has a cardiac condition called an atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. On May 20th, Kataleya will undergo heart surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Kataleya's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Kataleya's mother shared, "I'm grateful that my daughter is receiving her surgery. They told me the heart murmur was going to close with time, but recently we found out it didn't. I pray she will have a good surgery, and she can feel much better so she can exercise as she wishes."

Thiago is a three-year-old boy from Bolivia. He lives with his parents, who both work in agriculture, and his two older siblings. Thiago's story of being diagnosed with a heart problem is unique. He accompanied his parents in a protest march against a law that threatened their community, walking for 28 days from the Bolivian Amazon to the city of La Paz. When they finally arrived, the high altitude of the city affected Thiago's breathing, causing the family to seek medical care. Doctors then discovered that Thiago has Tetralogy of Fallot, a heart condition involving a hole between two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Thiago does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On May 26th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow normally. Thiago's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Thiago's father shares, "We are so happy that our son's surgery has been scheduled for this week, and we hope for the best."