Help Mend A Broken Heart In Kenya

Children and Charity is pleased to report on recent successful surgeries performed in the U.S. and Kenya for Take Heart Association Project (THAP)'s Help Mend A Broken Heart in Kenya program.

In late July, one of THAP's patients, Luke, age 2, traveled to the U.S. to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, Florida with his father, thanks in part to Rotary International's Gift of Life program. Luke's surgery was a success and he returned to Nairobi in early September a healthier and happier toddler who took his first steps while at the hospital. See photo.

In late August, a medical mission team led by Dr. Karimi, Chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Medical College of Georgia's Children's Hospital, to The Mater Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, helped a great number of children with heart problems get the medical care they needed. During their stay from August 27 - September 3, the team evaluated 41 children for possible surgeries and 35 children for catheterizations, resulting in 8 open heart surgeries and 11 catheterizations. The children ranged in age from 4 months to 17 years old. In addition, Dr. Karimi and his team spent time training Kenyan doctors, nurses, and medical staff on the latest medical procedures to assist children with heart problems.

Families of the patients treated stayed at THAP's Family Support Center and were transported to and from Mater Hospital in THAP's "Hearts for Kids" van.

While we are making progress in helping children with heart problems get the medical treatment they need, our waiting list continues to grow as more familes are referred to THAP's program. The need for increased funds continues so that more children can get the life-saving heart surgery they need.

Thank you for your continued support which is helping these children develop into healthy and happy children, able to attend school and do things that all children love to do.