“Taina is an intelligent and cheerful girl who enjoys going to school and is in the third grade,” says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Taina also likes to play with dolls and make new friends. Taina was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. "A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart," explains HCA. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and weak.” Taina requires surgery to repair the opening between the atria in her heart. “Following surgery, normal blood flow should be restored to Taina’s heart and body,” says HCA, “and she should no longer have symptoms from this condition.” However, Taina needs help securing funding for her operation. “Her mother passed away when she was young, and she lived in the streets for some time before being enrolled into an orphanage,” says HCA. Gift of Life International has contributed $5,000 towards her surgery, and an additional $1,500 in Watsi funding is needed to cover preparation and transportation costs, as this surgery is not readily available in Haiti. With our help, Taina can receive the medical care she needs to restore her health. “I am very excited to have my surgery so that I can play with my friends without getting tired,” she shares.

Thaw is an 18-year-old student from Burma. Thaw is in the 11th grade and hopes to one day become a building engineer. His favorite pastime is playing football. "In November 2010, Thaw and his mother noticed signs that he was not healthy," shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). His symptoms, often exacerbated by playing football, included shortness of breath and tiredness on exertion. After being diagnosed with a heart condition by a local clinic, he and his mother traveled to a specialist who told Thaw that he would require cardiac surgery for his condition. BBP tells us, "Thaw is suffering from lethargy, back pain, abdominal and chest pain, and sometimes has difficulty breathing. Sometimes when he is unwell with fever, his lips and fingertips turn a little blue." Due to Thaw's condition, he is no longer able to go to school. Thaw lives in Burma with his mother, aunt, and grandfather. Their combined income is just enough to cover the cost of food. $1,500 will cover the cost of complex cardiac surgery for Thaw's congenital heart valve defects. Burma Children Medical Fund has contributed $13,525 towards his treatment cost. "I hope I can get help with my problems so I can continue my studies in the future," says Thaw.