The Maria Movement
Donation protected
Maria Lourdes came into this world on November 3, 2011 at 6:19 pm. Born 1.5 weeks early, she weighed a mere 5 pounds, was 18 inches long, and had the thickest dark brown hair you could ever imagine on a newborn!
Born at Hillcrest Hospital, she was quickly transferred to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital PICU and within her first 24 hours underwent a series of tests to fully understand her congenital heart defects.
Maria's full diagnosis is tetralogy of fallot with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect. In layman's terms, she was born with tiny pulmonary arteries which are needed to carry blood to the lungs to receive oxygen. There is also an opening in the wall between the right and left ventricles which is allowing oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood.
Maria needs her third open heart surgery. She needs a surgery that is too complex for the doctors here in Ohio. The surgeons here in Ohio have recommended (that Maria seek care from Dr. Fraser at TCH (Texas Children’s Hospital). Maria's parents are trying to provide her with the best care possible. Therefore, they have been in contact with a surgeon in Houston, Texas willing to take on Maria's complex case. There is one problem that the family is facing, insurance has denied the transportation to Houston.
The flights that the family have looked into for Maria cost anywhere from $11,000-$16,000 one way. Another option is renting an RV in order to plug in Maria's equipment that she may need. Commercial transportation is not an option due to the fact that Maria is in such a critical condition, her health cannot withstand the environment. Commercial flights are also lacking the proper equipment to care for Maria during the flight.
Maria's Surgery is set for January 7th. She needs to be in Texas at the hospital January 5th. Time is critical at this point.
Born at Hillcrest Hospital, she was quickly transferred to the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital PICU and within her first 24 hours underwent a series of tests to fully understand her congenital heart defects.
Maria's full diagnosis is tetralogy of fallot with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect. In layman's terms, she was born with tiny pulmonary arteries which are needed to carry blood to the lungs to receive oxygen. There is also an opening in the wall between the right and left ventricles which is allowing oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood.
Maria needs her third open heart surgery. She needs a surgery that is too complex for the doctors here in Ohio. The surgeons here in Ohio have recommended (that Maria seek care from Dr. Fraser at TCH (Texas Children’s Hospital). Maria's parents are trying to provide her with the best care possible. Therefore, they have been in contact with a surgeon in Houston, Texas willing to take on Maria's complex case. There is one problem that the family is facing, insurance has denied the transportation to Houston.
The flights that the family have looked into for Maria cost anywhere from $11,000-$16,000 one way. Another option is renting an RV in order to plug in Maria's equipment that she may need. Commercial transportation is not an option due to the fact that Maria is in such a critical condition, her health cannot withstand the environment. Commercial flights are also lacking the proper equipment to care for Maria during the flight.
Maria's Surgery is set for January 7th. She needs to be in Texas at the hospital January 5th. Time is critical at this point.
Organizer
Vanesa Lynn
Organizer
Mentor, OH
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