This is Chrislove. She is 12-years-old, and lives in Haiti with her mom and two sisters. She is shy and intelligent, and likes to write poetry and draw pictures. Chrislove had a severe case of strep throat when she was a young child, and it was left untreated for a long time. As a result, it damaged two valves in her heart. Chrislove has had to miss school for the last three years due to the cardiac condition called rheumatic heart disease. Her heart can no longer pump blood through her body with enough force, and if left untreated it could be fatal. If Chrislove gets medical attention soon, she could see a full recovery, and will get a chance to lead a normal life. Chrislove’s mother can’t afford the $1,500 surgery, and needs our help. Together we can help Chrislove receive the treatment she needs and grow into a happy and healthy young woman. Chrislove says, “I have been sick for so long it is like a dream to know that I will be healthy again. Thank you to everyone!”

Say hi to Phillippe, a one-year-old boy from Haiti! According to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), “Phillippe is his mother’s first child, and is very popular with his cousins, aunts, and uncles. He learned to take his first steps and is now trying to walk everywhere he can, holding on to furniture as he goes. He is a very sweet and curious child.” Unfortunately, “Phillippe was born with a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole that is normally present in the heart of a developing fetus fails to close after birth. As a result, blood can flow through this hole without passing through the lungs to get oxygen, stunting his development and making him weak and sickly,” explains HCA. For $1,500, Phillippe will receive surgery to completely close the hole in his heart, and he will no longer experience any symptoms from his condition. “It’s a dream come true for us that Phillippe can get better!” says his mother. Let’s help Phillippe get healthy!