My name is Michelle, and I am the mother of a brave heart warrior named Keith Zion.

Even before he was born, doctors told us that Zion had a serious heart condition.

During my pregnancy, a Congenital Anomaly Scan showed signs of heart disease. A fetal echo confirmed it as Tetralogy of Fallot. At that time, we already accepted his condition. We believed he could survive this, even when a pediatrician told us that the baby in my womb might not live. We chose faith over fear.

On November 4, 2023, Zion came into this world—miraculously alive, weighing 3.4 kg, and even born with two neonatal teeth. From the very beginning, he showed us how strong and extraordinary he is. But instead of being placed in my arms, he was rushed straight to the NICU. A week later, doctors confirmed through 2D Echo that his condition was even more complex: Double Outlet Right Ventricle, Malposed Great Arteries without Pulmonic Stenosis, Coarctation of the Aorta (Taussig Bing Anomaly). We didn’t understand those terms at first. All we knew was that our baby had a very sick heart.

He stayed in the NICU for three weeks, battling pneumonia and undergoing 21 days of antibiotics. At such an early age, he had already endured so much. Just a week after leaving the NICU, he was rushed to the ER again with fever and low oxygen. He spent two more weeks in the Pediatric ICU, right before his first Christmas. I was still recovering from postpartum, feeling guilty that I couldn’t care for him the way I wanted to. But I knew depression wouldn’t help him. He needed me strong.

When he finally came home, he was so thin—down to 2.4 kg—but his eyes told us he wanted to live. We never gave up, because he never gave up.

I searched tirelessly for a doctor who could give us hope. Finally, I found one. She explained Zion’s condition and how surgery could give him the life he deserves. We weren’t hesitant—we were ready to do whatever it takes. But first, Zion had to gain weight and grow stronger.

From time to time, we lined up for hours to secure government guarantee letters. We did everything we could to earn funds for his procedures. Finally, in March 2025, Zion underwent his cardiac catheterization to better understand his heart’s condition. Even during that procedure, his heart rate dropped dangerously low, and doctors had to resuscitate him. We prayed harder than ever. I was terrified—if this could happen during a test, what more during surgery?

But we held on to hope.

On August 19, 2025, Zion was scheduled for his first surgery at the Philippine Heart Center. Waiting outside the operating room was the longest, hardest moment of my life. The plan was for one surgery, but complications arose. His lung pressures were too high, and the surgeons couldn’t proceed fully. Still, they managed to repair his arch successfully. A week later, when his recovery wasn’t stable, doctors decided he needed another operation—an arterial septectomy. We cried, but we trusted them. And once again, Zion fought bravely and survived.

His recovery was not easy. He was extubated, then re-intubated. A bronchoscopy revealed he had tuberculosis. We don’t know where he got the infection, but doctors started treatment. He was transferred to Transitional ICU, where he seemed stable—moving, playing, even smiling. But one midnight, he had a seizure. A code blue was called. It was a nightmare. His brain was damaged, his muscles stiff. He could no longer move or respond the way he used to. Yet still, he cried. Still, he reacted. Still, he lived.

Days turned into months. Infections kept coming. Doctors fought alongside us, but prolonged intubation led to the decision for a tracheostomy. By then, Zion had already spent 172 days in the hospital. His account was suspended, and we were told to secure payment for bills amounting to $120,340. On top of that, he still needs continuous medication and a ventilator to finally leave the ICU.

Through all of this, Zion has shown us what true courage looks like. Even when his body is weak, he still fights. He wants to live. He wants to smile. He wants to walk and play like any child deserves.

We are humbly asking for your help. Every donation, no matter how small, will go toward Zion’s medical care and give him the chance to continue his fight. Please help us keep his light shining. Please help us give him the life he deserves.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading our story, for your prayers, and for any support you can give. May God bless you always.

With love and hope,

Michelle (Zion’s Mom)