Meet Ernst, a 13-year old boy from Haiti. Ernst lives in the mountains of Haiti with his mother, father, and three sisters. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), shares: “His parents are both small farmers, and he likes to help on the farm and take care of the animals.”
Ernst was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at birth. He loves school, but sometimes he must miss classes because his illness makes the one-hour walk to school extremely difficult.
“Ernst was born with a cardiac condition called tetralogy of fallot (TOF).” Those with TOF have four structural cardiac abnormalities, which collectively alter the heart’s normal flow of blood, preventing blood and oxygen from adequately circulating through the body. This abnormal blood flow can lead to serious health complications, including death.
$1,500 will help Ernst travel to receive cardiac surgery overseas. After his surgery, Ernst will receive two months of post-operative care. $10,000 of the total treatment cost has already been subsidized by Health City Cayman Islands.
“Following surgical repair of his heart defect, Ernst should be able to lead a normal life with no further symptoms from this condition,” HCA tells us.
Ernst shares, “I am excited to have my heart fixed so that I can walk to school and play soccer with my friends!”