Elineris is six years old and lives in a rural community in the Dominican Republic with her parents and one older sister. Her parents are both farmers. She is in kindergarten and loves everything having to do with princesses.
Elineris was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and weak. Although Elineris is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. Elineris will be one of the first children to receive this care.
First, Elineris will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 11. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Elineris also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Elineris’s surgical care.
“We would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping Elineris. We never imagined she would ever have this chance” says her mother.