Danica is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her older sister and her sister's family in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Danica is trained in tailoring and fashion design but is currently unable to work due to her heart ailment. Danica has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related issues, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. As a result, blood cannot circulate adequately through Danica's lungs, leaving her deprived of oxygen and short of breath.
Danica will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On November 1st, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will close the hole in her heart with a patch and remove the blockage from her valve. Another organization, the Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $26,000 to pay for the surgery. Danica's family also needs help to fund the $1,500 surgery prep costs. This cost covers all labs, medication, check-up and follow-up appointments, and the passport needed for Danica and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Danica's family overseas.
Danica said, "I am looking forward to having more energy and feeling more healthy after my surgery!"