News - International Children's Heart Foundation

September 19, 2017

Saving Lives in Cuba

During our second trip to Havana, Cuba, the BabyHeart team partnered with the medical team at Cardiocentro Pediatrico William Soler to perform 4 open heart surgeries, including the first surgery to repair a complex Congenital Heart Defect at this hospital.

Mauro

At only 8 days old, Mauro was diagnosed with Pulmonary Artresia and a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). Even at such a young age, Mauro showed what a warrior he was when he underwent a procedure to insert a Blalock Taussig Shunt to help manage the symptoms of his serious condition and allow him to grow. At some point, however, it was going to be time to permanently repair his complex heart defect. Since Cuba does not currently have access to the expensive conduit needed for this type of repair, the surgery was postponed.

Keeping in Contact

The family maintained contact with the BabyHeart team as Mauro grew to a two-year old. Through the partnership with the medical team at Cardiocentro Pediatrico William Soler, we knew that Mauro was ready for his next surgery. Thanks to the support of Across the Globe Children’s Foundation, the generosity of Maria Pessino, a long-term ICHF donor who has supported our efforts in Cuba and elsewhere for the past 2 years, and the donation of a Contegra Conduit needed for the surgery by Medtronic valued at $5,000, Mauro had his surgery earlier this month, and it was a success. Mauro’s mom, Lisy, expressed how grateful she is to the foundation and the donors who made this possible.

Good Things to Come

ICHF is proud to have been a part of this project at Cardiocentro Pediatrico William Soler. We believe that with the knowledge exchanged during our short time there, this partnership will equip the Cuban team with the tools needed to continue providing excellent care for the Cuban children.

July 27, 2017

Volunteer Highlight – Cristin Bowman

Not all of our volunteers join us on medical missions. Volunteers can use their skills to help us in many ways. Meet volunteer Cristin Bowman, a freelance graphic designer from Atlanta, GA who also likes to dabble in photography. She connected with us through CatchAFire about a year ago, and helps us with designing and producing our trip reports, social media infographics, and other special documents.

Cristin was motivated to volunteer at an early age.

She went to Washington D.C. as a high school student and saw the AIDS Names Quilt. Seeing what people can do when they all pitch in had a profound effect on her. Since then, she has tried to pitch in where ever she can, even if it’s doing something small. That’s why she has chosen to donate her time and skills to ICHF as well as other organizations like the ACLU of Georgia.

A child of the ‘70s

Cristin remembers watching Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman. This might explain her love for comics! She enjoys reading them, blogging about them, and is happy to talk about them to anyone willing to listen. When she has free time, she also enjoys traveling, and aims to visit every single continent one of these days. If you should run into Cristin while traveling, be sure to request her rendition of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” She once drew a standing ovation at a Karaoke bar in Kyoto, Japan performing this song on one of her excursions!

Thanks, Cristin, for using your talents to help BabyHeart! We are thrilled to have you on our team.

Find out how you can use your skills as a volunteer.

June 7, 2017

Future Doctor In The Making

On our May 2017 trip to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, we met a young heart warrior who loves math and wants to become a doctor when she grows up. Thanks to your support, she now has a chance to make that dream come true.

Mariel

Ever since 12-year old Mariel was born, her parents knew she had a congenital heart defect that prohibited her from exercising. As she grew older she would get tired very easily, and even though she loved swimming and running, she could not do either. About a year ago they learned that her heart condition was getting worse – one of the valves in her heart was not closing properly.

Working Towards a Solution

Mariel’s parents worked together to help her and provide all the services she needed to get by. One day last year, her doctor told them about the BabyHeart Mission coming to Santo Domingo and that they had the opportunity to fix their daughter`s condition. They were fortunate to have been selected by the medical team, and on Thursday, May 18^th, Mariel’s heart was repaired. Just 5 days later, she was discharged from the hospital and was recuperating comfortably at home.

Mariel is now looking forward to being able to run and swim without a worry in the world. She is especially looking forward to going back to school where she can study hard, because some day she wants to be called Dr. Mariel.

To help bring hope to more children like Mariel, consider making a donation today.

June 7, 2017

Pre-Med Volunteer Highlight – Sessen Stevens

The BabyHeart Team welcomes pre-med and medical students on our medical mission trips. It’s a great opportunity for students to learn and participate in a health care system that is part of a culture other than their own, and gain an in-depth look into the field of cardiothoracic surgery. One such student who joined us on a recent trip is Sessen Stevens, a pre-med student at the University of Memphis.

Beyond Expectations

Prior to joining the trip, she had no idea of what to expect. Once she joined the trip, she was fascinated to see the interactions between the ICHF staff and the local medical team as they worked together to save lives.

“As a student, I left knowing procedures, defects, anatomy and different components of the surgery I had never known or thought of before! I was also given the unique experience of seeing a beating heart, which gave me a new appreciation for the human body.”

Something to Remember

What had the greatest impact on Sessen was her interaction with the children and their parents before and after surgery. She was able to see first-hand how life changing the operations were for the children, and how much of an impact it would have on their future. Seeing their smiling faces as they left the hospital with their families is something she will always remember.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity that was provided and the ability to go on the trip as an undergrad student. The trip solidified my desire to work overseas in medicine in the future. I’m super encouraged by ICHF, the volunteers and all the donors that are changing these children’s lives forever.”

Find out how you can join a BabyHeart mission as a Pre-Med or Med Student Volunteer.

April 24, 2017

Memphis Surgeon Travels to Guyana on Latest BabyHeart Mission

Meet Dr. Umar Boston, a Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgeon at Le BonHeur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. He recently joined the BabyHeart team in Georgetown, Guyana where, thanks to him and a team of international volunteers, 13 children received life-saving surgeries.

This is the 3rd BabyHeart mission that Dr. Boston has joined, but what makes this even more special is that Guyana is where Dr. Boston was born. Knowing that he is helping meet the need for medical care for children with congenital heart disease in developing countries while helping the local team establish a sustainable pediatric cardiac program motivates him to volunteer.

Dr Boston surgery — Dr. Marisa Seepersaud (left) works with Dr. Boston (right) to perform surgery in Guyana.

By far the most meaningful aspects of going on this mission were being able to use the education and skills he has acquired over the years to give back to the people of his birth country and also being able to reunite with family he had not seen in over 35 years. We are so grateful to have the participation of Dr. Boston, and we look forward to his next trip with us!

Find out how you can help provide life-saving treatment to children with CHD in Guyana and countries all over the world.