Erickarry is a four-year-old boy from Haiti. “Erickarry is a playful and happy child who enjoys going to preschool and playing video games with his brothers,” our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) tells us. “He also likes playing with his new baby sister who is two months old. His parents both work in the local marketplace.”
“Erickarry was born with a condition called subaortic membrane, in which an abnormal membrane partially blocks blood flow through the aortic valve,” explains HCA. “This makes it difficult for blood to circulate normally, and leads to heart failure.”
Erickarry needs surgery to restore normal blood flow to his heart and body. HCA has arranged for Erickarry to be transported to a treatment centre where they are equipped to handle his surgery. Gift of Life International is subsidizing this treatment with $5,000, and an extra $1,500 in Watsi funding will cover preparation and transportation costs involved in Erickarry’s surgery.
When the operation is complete, he should have no more symptoms from his condition.
“Erickarry is very scared about the surgery, but we are comforting him because we know he needs it and it will make him better,” shares his mother.