CHD - International Children's Heart Foundation

March 4, 2018

Training Mission Continues to Expand in Monterrey

The BabyHeart team recently returned from the first of four trips to Hospital Zambrano Hellion in Monterrey, Mexico with another successful mission and renewed partnerships. During this trip, 7 children received life-saving surgeries, and 8 children received diagnostic or interventional catheterizations.

Changing Lives

Two heart warriors whose lives were changed during the trip were 12-year old Sergio, and 12-year old Ximena.

Sergio’s Story

When we first saw Sergio, his lips were blue due to the lack of oxygen in his blood, and he was using a wheelchair because he did not have the energy to walk. Sergio came in for a diagnostic catheterization to gather additional data that was needed before a surgical plan could be established for him.

While performing the procedure, Dr. Breinholt and Dra Britton determined that they could partially improve Sergio’s condition by placing a stent in his Right Ventricular Outflow Tract that was extremely narrowed. This temporary procedure allowed more oxygen to travel to his lungs, and he came out of the procedure with pink lips!

The most rewarding sight was to see Sergio walk out of the hospital when it was time for him to be discharged. Later this year, after some time to focus on nutrition and gaining weight, he will be ready for a full surgical repair of his heart.

Ximena’s Story

When Ximena was born, her parents were told she had a complex heart defect called single ventricle. Initially, the doctors told her family that there was nothing to do because Ximena was stable. However, over the years, she began to have less energy, headaches, and her lips and skin were becoming more and more blue.

When Ximena was 6 years old, she had to stop going to school because she became tired too easily from the activity. From that point on, her mother began to provide activities to her to keep her busy and learning. Ximena loves to read, color, and watch YouTube videos on cake making.

Ximena’s family was determined to find a solution to her problem. After many years of searching for a hospital who would treat her and living in fear that something might happen to her, they found Corazones Invencibles–a partnership between Hospital Zambrano Hellion, Fundacion Tec Salud, CardioChavitos, International Children’s Heart Foundation, DIF Nuevo Leon, Gift of Life International, and Rotary International that provides free surgery to children with congenital heart defects.

Ximena underwent a palliative procedure called the Glenn Procedure, and she immediately felt better! Her lips are less blue and she has much more energy than before. She will still require one more surgery to fully repair her heart, but in the meantime, she is looking forward to going back to school and living a more active life!

Moving Ahead

BabyHeart returns to Hospital Zambrano Hellion in May to continue the partnership with CardioChavitos, Fundacion Tec Salud and DIF Nuevo Leon, and looks forward to Gift of Life International and Rotary International joining the team as we strengthen and grow the program.

The goal for 2018 is to change the lives of 60 children through surgeries and catheterizations, and we can only accomplish this with your support. If you are interested in getting involved in this program as a volunteer or donor, please contact us! Together we can save more children in Mexico with CHD.

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.

March 6, 2014

Joshua’s Day

After an international trip and two separate Babyheart missions it was finally Joshua’s day in surgery! He’d waited his whole life for his turn and now he finally had his CHD repaired by the Babyheart and Santiago team.
During his surgery his mother shared the saddest story about how Joshua came home really sick one day and told her he knew he was going to die. He told her that it was OK because when she got old, his brother could take care of her. She told the Babyheart team she didn’t react then but went into her bedroom and broke down. Can you imagine your child telling you that because they knew it was true? True no longer, Josh had his heart surgery and he is on his way back home with a healed heart!
To the people and organizations that have donated so much for this mission to happen, thank you. The world is a much better place with children like Joshua in it and all the other kids saved by the Babyheart teams with your generous help.