Zoe, who is six months old, lives with her parents and two older sisters in La Paz, Bolivia. Her father is a dentist, while her mother stays home to take care of the children.
When Zoe was born, she was diagnosed with Down syndrome and patent ductus arteriosus, a condition where there is a hole between two major blood vessels near the heart. As a result of this condition, blood leaks through the hole, leaving her weak and unable to gain weight, as her blood isn’t properly oxygenated.
Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund surgery to correct Zoe’s condition. The operation is scheduled for April 19th at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría, where doctors will sew the hole shut, allowing for her blood to flow completely through her heart. Zoe should grow stronger after she has recovered from surgery.
Zoe’s mother said: “Our family is very hopeful that Zoe will gain an appetite and become stronger after her surgery!”