April is a five-year-old girl. She lives with her mother, grandmother, and two older brothers in a town in the eastern part of Dominican Republic. She attends kindergarten and loves dolls and princesses.
April was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. This means a hole in her heart, which normally closes shortly after birth, remained open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and weak.
Although April is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. She will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner’s care center.
First, April will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 17. 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 April 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 April’s surgical care.
Her mother says, “Our family will be so happy when the surgery is finished and we know that April is safe and well.”