Francisca is a sixteen-year-old from the Dominican Republic who lives with her mother, stepfathers, and sisters. She has Down syndrome and attends a day program for children with special needs. Her favorite activity is watching soap operas on television.
Francisca was born with partial atrioventricular canal defect, a cardiac defect in which the endocardial cushions that separate the central parts of the heart failed to have formed. Blood is unable to pass through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Francisca sickly and weak. This defect is especially common in children who have Down syndrome.
Gift of Life International is subsidizing the cost of Francisca’s heart surgery, however she still requires funds for surgery prep and transportation. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is therefore requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Francisca’s cardiac exams and medications. She is scheduled to receive treatment on May 19 and, once the procedure is complete, will hopefully be able to live more comfortably.
“I am so happy that Francisca can have this surgery so she will have more energy and be able to be more active,” says Francisca’s mother.