Jean Marc is a teacher from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince, where he is a high school math teacher. Jean Marc has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of Jean Marc’s heart was severely damaged as a result of a rheumatic fever he suffered as a teenager, and it can no longer adequately pump blood through his body, leading to heart failure.
Jean Marc will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On February 19, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will remove the damaged valve and insert a mechanical replacement. University of Virginia is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery.
Jean Marc’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 Jean Marc’s family overseas.
He says, “I am so thankful to everyone for giving me this chance to recover my health!”