Success! John Kendy from Haiti raised $1,500 for life-saving heart surgery.

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$1,500 raised, $0 to go

$1,500

raised

to go

John Kendy's story
John Kendy's update

February 19, 2016

John Kendy is an active, hard-working 18-year-old from Haiti.

“John Kendy’s favorite activity is soccer, however for the past several years he has been unable to play; instead he watches matches on TV,” our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), tells us. John Kendy is a sophomore in high school and is studying hard to one day become a lawyer or doctor.

John Kendy has severe rheumatic heart disease as a result of a fever he had when he was 12 years old. HCA shares, “this fever severely damaged his mitral valve, preventing his heart from pumping adequately and leading to heart failure. If untreated, this would eventually be fatal.”

Medical care in Haiti is underfunded and often difficult for patients to afford. HCA partners with other nearby organizations to ensure that Haitians can access the medical attention that they need. They have arranged for John Kendy to be transported to the University of Vermont Medical Centre, where doctors will perform surgery to repair his mitral valve.

$1,500 will fund preparation and transportation costs for John Kendy to receive the surgery he needs.

“I am excited to have my surgery so that I can walk to school without getting tired and start playing soccer again,” John Kendy adds.

John Kendy is an active, hard-working 18-year-old from Haiti. "John Kendy's favorite activity is soccer, however for the past several yea...

Photo of John Kendy post-operation

March 30, 2016

John Kendy recieved life-saving heart surgery.

“I am excited to start playing soccer again,” John Kendy told his doctor after successful surgery. “I have not been able to play for the past six years!”

Our medical partner explains that John Kendy is recovering well. “During surgery, John Kendy’s damaged mitral valve was replaced with a mechanical valve,” they share. “He will require daily medications for the rest of his life, but should be able to lead a normal and active life.”

With this surgery, John Kendy will no longer have to worry about his heart. He can focus on fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor or lawyer and enjoy playing games with his friends.

"I am excited to start playing soccer again," John Kendy told his doctor after successful surgery. "I have not been able to play for the pas...

February 19, 2016
PROFILE SUBMITTED
John Kendy was submitted by Owen Robinson, Executive Director at International Cardiac Alliance.
February 22, 2016
TREATMENT OCCURRED
John Kendy received treatment at University of Vermont Medical Center in United States. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
March 1, 2016
PROFILE PUBLISHED
John Kendy's profile was published to start raising funds.
March 2, 2016
FULLY FUNDED
John Kendy's treatment was fully funded.
March 30, 2016
TREATMENT UPDATE
John Kendy's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 39 donors

Treatment

Overseas Prep and Transportation

Diagnosis
Procedure

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

When a hole exists in the heart, a physician can hear a buzzing noise, or murmur, in the child's chest as blood passes through the hole at high velocity. The child's parents might notice that their son or daughter cannot keep up with other children in daily activities. In severe cases, the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream can lead to dramatic symptoms, such as blue lips and tongue, clubbed fingers and toes, and heart failure. The patients treated by Haiti Cardiac Alliance tend to fall into two categories. They are either born with some type of hole or defect in the heart, or they develop valve disease as a result of an untreated strep throat infection (rheumatic fever). Patients with rheumatic valve disease experience swelling of the abdomen and extremities, as the heart tries to circulate blood through the body despite the valve's dysfunction.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Virtually all of the conditions treated at Haiti Cardiac Alliance will eventually lead to death without surgery, the majority of them within one to two years. In the meantime, patients experience heart failure as their hearts struggle to compensate for the presence of leaks or other defects. In most conditions, the heart becomes fatigued, limiting the child's ability to be active, go to school, and participate in daily life.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Families in Haiti often have complex cultural mechanisms for understanding cardiac illnesses and their causes, sometimes involving voudou or other religious belief systems. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of Haitian families in our medical partner's program also engage with the medical explanations and treatment of these conditions. Parents are willing and cooperative participants in their child's treatment.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient is first referred to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), by a pediatrician or another medical practitioner who detects symptoms that might be cardiac in nature. HCA staff then perform an echocardiogram to diagnose the cardiac condition. If surgery is required, the child joins a triaged waitlist to be placed for surgery with partner hospitals. It can sometimes take 6-12 months to move through this waitlist. During this period, HCA provides periodic cardiac checkups, changing the patient's triage position as appropriate. The child and his/her guardian then travel to the hospital with an HCA social worker. Typically, the child spends 4-5 days in or near the hospital prior to surgery for testing and examinations. After surgery, he or she spends several more days as an inpatient prior to being discharged. When the child is strong enough to travel, usually after several more weeks, he/she returns home to Haiti. HCA provides regular cardiac checkups for at least five years postoperatively before the final discharge from their program.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

These treatments are almost always life-saving in nature. These cardiac conditions are not survivable over the long-term without surgery. Within weeks after surgery, the patient should notice a difference in energy level. Many patients also undergo a growth spurt and/or gain significant weight after a surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

The risk of death during or shortly after an open-heart surgical procedure is about 3%. Other risks, though rare, include stroke and post-operative infection. In a small percentage of cases, the material used to patch the hole "blows," and a follow-up surgery is necessary to re-patch the defect.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Patients come to Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) from the entirety of Haiti. This can involve three days of travel in buses, pickup trucks, or even on horseback. There is no cardiac surgery of any kind available in Haiti outside of the HCA treatment network.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

In general, patients are treated with medications to prevent heart failure until they are ready to travel. Patients may also seek care from traditional healers, who may use liquids and powders derived from local plants and roots.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Peter is a farmer from Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda. He is a father to four children who are all in school. Peter and his wife grow food crops for their family's consumption and sell the surplus to generate income. For three years, Peter has had a left inguinal hernia, causing swelling and pain. Doctors recommend that he undergo surgery and, fortunately, on April 3rd, Peter will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Peter's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Peter says, “I hope for a complete recovery and will be able to resume farming in good health to sustain my family.

Chhoum Malay is a widow and loving mom to four sons, one daughter, and seven grandchildren. She lives with her daughter, who is a seller at a local coffee shop in Phnom Penh. Chhom Malay lost her husband about ten years ago when he passed away from a brain tumor, so she now helps her daughter with the housework and cooking. In the evening, she likes to watch dramas on their TV. Seven months ago, Chhoum Malay developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing and trouble seeing to eat or drink in low light. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. When Chhoum Malay learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there hoping for treatment. On January 2nd, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Chhoum Malay's daughter said: "After surgery, we hope my mother can see well again, go outside by herself, and help me with housework."

Samnang is a two-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his parents and his 3-year-old brother. His mother stays home to care for the children and his father is in the army. At home, Samnang likes to play with his toys and enjoys eating fried chicken prepared by his mother. At birth, Samnang was diagnosed with arthrogryposis, a term used to describe a variety of conditions involving multiple joint and muscle contractures or stiffness. As a result of this condition, Samnang has clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition where the foot is rotated. This causes pain and difficulty walking. Samnang traveled for one and a half hours to visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). There, surgeons will perform a bilateral tendon release and insert a K-wire on March 1st. CSC is requesting $444 to fund Samnang's clubfoot repair. After treatment and therapy, he will be able to walk and be more active. Samnang's mother said, "I hope after surgery, my son will learn to walk, have no pain, and keep up with his older brother."

John Kendy's Timeline

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Funded by 39 donors

Treatment

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100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.