Jean Emile is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his mother, father, and two brothers in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He likes listening to music and playing with toy cars. Jean Emile has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through the hole without passing through the lungs to get oxygen, leaving him sick and short of breath.
Jean Emile will fly to Canada to receive treatment. On June 3, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a patch to close the hole in his heart. Another organization, The Herbie Fund, is contributing $12,000 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 am happy for this surgery so that I can let my son run and play with the other children."