Dirony is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and three siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He is in the fifth grade and especially enjoys math and science. Dirony has a cardiac condition called atrioventricular septal canal defect. A large hole exists in the center of his heart, causing blood to mix between all four chambers; this leaves him sick and short of breath.
Dirony will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 2, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use patches to close the hole in his heart. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $18,000 to pay for surgery.
Dirony’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 Dirony’s family overseas.
His mother says, “I am hoping that Dirony will not have to miss school so often once his heart is healthy.”