Meet Julio, a one-year-old baby boy from the Dominican Republic.
Julio was born with a ventricular septal defect. In this condition, there is a hole in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart, causing oxygen-rich blood to combine with oxygen-poor blood. This then forces Julio's heart to work harder than normal, making him feel ill.
Although Julio is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. Julio will be one of the first children to receive this care.
First, Julio will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 8. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Julio also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and his family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Julio's surgical care.
His mother says, "We would like to thank everyone who is helping answer our prayers for Julio to become healthy!"