Help Save My Little Cousin Hassen's Life

This is Reshid, and I really need your help for my cousin Hassen. He has a serious heart problem called Tetralogy of Fallot. Without TWO big surgeries, he won't survive.

Because of his heart condition, he will probably need more than one surgery just for the heart. He has a cleft palate that will need surgery too - but not until after his heart is fixed. This is a lot for a little boy in my country, Ethiopia, where there isn't good medical care.

I met Hassen when I visited my family in Ethiopia in March. We are from Afar. If you know Ethiopia, it is hard to get help.

Seeing him hit me hard. I knew I had to help. I was able to help him get to Addis Ababa to finally get his referral for his heart and to learn what he needs. It has been complicated to get the help he needs, but now there is a plan. Can you help me with the cost of the life-saving surgery?

What Hassen Needs:

He needs a complex surgery to fix his heart and save his life. After his heart is fixed he can have surgery to fix his cleft palate.

I got him to Addis Ababa for all of his important heart tests. This is the next step. The surgeon has said he can do the surgery. This Dr. is the only one we can find in Ethiopia who can do this surgery.

I need to raise $17,000 for the surgery to save his life.

I made a promise to help, and I'm trying my hardest to keep it. Your help means a lot to me, to Hassen, and to my family in Afar, Ethiopia.

How I Will Manage This:

I'm 19, and I have help from my parents, Meghan and Mark. They are helping me make sure every cent goes to Hassen's surgery and care.

Here are some pictures of me and my family.

Me with some of my family in Afar. Hassen is in the orange Tshirt.