Gabriel is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives in Cap Haitien, a city in northern Haiti, with his mother, father, and brothers. He is an outgoing and curious child who makes friends easily.
Gabriel has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A blood vessel near the heart that normally closes shortly after birth instead remains open. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak.
Gabriel will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On November 6, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a catheter to close the blood vessel so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery.
Gabriel’s family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Gabriel’s family overseas.
His mother says, “I am very happy that my son can have his heart fixed so he will be able to start preschool without problems!”