Emma is 11 years old and lives near Port-au-Prince with her parents, two sisters, and one brother. She is in the fifth grade in school and is a very good student. She hopes to become a teacher or a writer when she grows up.
Emma was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole in the heart which normally closes shortly after birth remains open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her short of breath.
Emma’s family took her to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance. They learned that she will need to have a surgery soon to help her condition. Her surgery is scheduled on May 5.
Emma’s treatment has been subsidized by the Gift of Life International in the amount of $5,000. However, her family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments.
After treatment, Emma will be free from her condition and able to go back to living her life.
“I am happy to be able to have this surgery so that I can do everything my friends do without getting tired,” says Emma.