Hello, my name is Farooq Ahmed, and I am the uncle of Baby Rumi.

Rumi was born on August 12 with a life-threatening congenital heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or HLHS.

HLHS is a rare and critical heart defect in which the left side of the heart does not fully develop. This leaves the right side of Rumi’s heart responsible for pumping blood to both his lungs and the rest of his body.

There is currently no cure for HLHS. Treatment typically involves a series of three staged heart surgeries designed to reroute blood flow so that a single functioning ventricle can support his circulation.

Rumi’s first major heart surgery was needed shortly after birth. His recovery requires highly specialized cardiac care and prolonged hospitalization. After he recovers, he will continue to be closely monitored as his doctors prepare for the next stage of treatment. His second heart surgery is generally performed during infancy, followed by a third planned stage later in childhood.

But HLHS does not end after those surgeries.

This will be a lifelong medical journey for Rumi and his parents. Between planned surgeries, children with HLHS can require unexpected hospitalizations, procedures, medications, testing, therapy, and other specialized care. Even after completing all three surgical stages, Rumi will continue to live with a complex heart condition requiring lifelong cardiology care.

And despite everything these surgeries are designed to accomplish, there remains the possibility that Rumi could need additional heart procedures or even a heart transplant at some point in his life.

Through all of this, Rumi has already shown us just how much love one tiny person can bring into the world. He captures the hearts of the nurses, doctors, family members, and everyone fortunate enough to meet him. He has brought immeasurable love and joy to our family.

We want to help give Rumi’s parents the ability to stay beside him and focus on what matters most: his recovery, his milestones, and every precious moment they have together.

The emotional, mental, physical, and financial toll of caring for a child with a critical lifelong heart condition extends far beyond hospital bills. In addition to Rumi’s medical care, his family faces many other expenses associated with remaining close to him during lengthy hospitalizations and future procedures, including temporary housing, travel, time away from work, and the many unexpected day-to-day costs that come with caring for a critically ill child.

Donations will help support Rumi’s surgeries and medical care, medications, testing, therapy, prolonged hospital stays, future procedures, travel and living expenses, and the other needs that arise throughout his treatment and recovery.

If Rumi’s condition ultimately requires a heart transplant or additional major procedures, his family will face yet another significant chapter of medical care.

Any amount helps. And if you are unable to donate, sharing Rumi’s story can make an enormous difference.

Thank you for supporting Rumi, surrounding his family with love, and helping give his parents the ability to remain by his side through the road ahead.