“Wesly lives in the mountains of central Haiti with his parents, two brothers, and one sister,” Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) tells us about this vibrant, 17-year-old young man. “The family has a small farm, and when he has enough energy, Wesly likes to help with the family’s cow, goats, and chickens. He also likes playing soccer, and is excited to be able to go back to school after his surgery.”
Wesly needs surgery to treat a heart condition he’s been living with for years. “Since the age of 13, Wesly has suffered from a heart condition called severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation, likely as a result of an untreated strep throat. The mitral valve of Wesly’s heart is severely damaged, limiting the heart’s ability to pump blood through the body. As a result, his feet and stomach swell, and he cannot be active and is too sick to go to school.”
HCA is prepared to provide Wesly the valve replacement he needs to continue moving forward with his life. “Following surgery, Wesly’s heart will gradually return to full strength over a period of several months,” HCA writes. “He should be able to participate in all activities, will gain weight and strength, and should not require another surgery in the future.”
HCA has managed to raised funding for Wesly’s care. But they need $1500 to cover the cost of overseas transport to the United States. “I am excited to go to the United States for surgery, but I am afraid it is going to be very cold there!”
Let’s fund Wesly’s transportation and help him move forward in life.
