Waily is five years old and lives in a small city in southern Dominican Republic with his parents and two brothers. He is in kindergarten. His favorite activity is to go to birthday parties.
Waily was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. Although Waily is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. He will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner’s care center.
First, Waily will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 14. 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 Waily also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and him family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Waily’s surgical care.
“We are very thankful to everyone who is helping Waily receive this surgery, and we are hopeful that he will return in good health after his surgery is finished,” says Waily’s mother.