Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of early death worldwide. In Africa, 13.6% (greater than 1,000,000) of all annual deaths are from CVD, and this number will only increase. By 2040, cardiac deaths will likely pass communicable diseases and Malaria as the top killer on the continent.

In April of 2025 we will be traveling to Malawi, Africa with Hearts for Mission International to perform open heart surgeries on patients with Rheumatic heart disease. We will continue training staff in all aspects of the operating room and recovery with the idea that Malawi will be able to function as an independent heart center in Africa in the future. As a group of 4 from the Cincinnati/Dayton area (Dr. Mitiek, Ashley PA, Julie RN and Paige RN), we are attempting to raise money to cover the cost of surgery for these patients. Each patient costs $6500 USD (Hospital $4000, Valve $1300, Perfusion $1200). All donations will go directly to H4MI to cover these costs.

Please visit H4MI.org for stories of saving lives through open heart surgery in Malawi.

”A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”