Help a Childrens Heart Center Save More Lives

The day Blanca was born at a public hospital, her parents were told that the girl had several heart problems. The initial diagnosis in that hospital was Tetralogy of Fallot, so the family was directed to the National Institute of Pediatrics. There, they found out about Kardias, thanks to a social worker, and a story of hope began.

"The truth was, it was shocking at first because we initially had no idea, no idea about this condition, no doctor even, and knew when Andrea was born, that she had a heart disease," says the little girl's father.

Andrea's parents contacted Kardias.The familly was very worried because they had no resources to pay for the treatment but they felt peace when they were told Kardias would cover the costs and that really the only thing they would have to worry about was Blanca.

The day of surgery:

After several frustrated attempts due to Blanca´s minor health problems, the surgery finally took place at the Kardias Heart Center ABC Hospital Medical Center. During the operation, Dr. Alexis Palacios Macedo, pediatric cardiovascular surgeon and medical director from the Kardias Program realized that Blanca´s VSD was larger than what she could see. However, although her parents were very concerned about the child's health, they knew that they were in the best hands.

The surgery was carried out successfully and Blanca was in intensive care for several days. She had constant care 24 hours a day, always with the presence of a doctor and nurses. About a week after the operation, the family was able to take her home.

A path of hope:

Little by little Blanca recovered. "All the people at Kardias were always very kind," explains Blanca´s father, "they helped with our questions explaining the procedure, and they were supportive to us and Blanca in an unbeatable way."

The family felt sheltered, “Kardias cares about you in providing you with a place to sleep, food vouchers.They make you feel protected, they make you feel, in the best way possible, calm and aware that the only thing you have to worry about is your son or daughter. "

Blanca´s father is sure that the lives of the girls and boys who enter the Kardias Program improve. "They can recover" and admits that, although the process is very hard, they return to normal or even to be better than before the operation.

CRYSTAL ESPERANZA B.

In Kardias we are very grateful for your support.
In this time of complex crisis your solidarity gives us enormous relief as we can continue
with our work and provide children with the specialized care they deserve.

This last month a little girl inspired us greatly and we wanted to share her story with you.

Her name is Crystal Esperanza but everyone affectionately calls her Hope. Her life, although
very short, has already faced great challenges.

She was born with Down syndrome and her biological parents had drug addiction problems.
For this reason, her mother asked for support to take care of her and, although she tried to win the battle against her addiction, she recognized that she could not provide the attention and care that the baby needed.

Hope was put up for adoption and stayed to live in a Casa Hogar located in Ensenada, Baja California. There they realized that the girl had a congenital heart disease and needed surgery soon. With the support of Kardias and an
international organization called Hearts of Joy, Hope was transferred to Mexico City for surgery.

Today this brave little survivor has been adopted by Sarah, a young Canadian who came to the foster home as a volunteer andwho had already adopted another child with a story similar to Hope´s.

Now Hope is healthy and has family that lives in a loving environment.

Form our heart, we thank you again for your support.

Links:

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