Diana's Heart Surgery
Tax deductible
I just returned from a 'Project Pacer Intentaional' charity mission to Bolivia, where our team (doctors, nurses, device technicians etc), placed pacemakers and defibrillators in patients with no means to afford them otherwise.
On the trip, we also met Diana, an 11-year girl with a 2 cm hole (VSD) in her heart, and in need of heart surgery without which she wouldn't probably live very long. Diana's heart defect has not been repaired because of finniancial reasons. Her parents were told they'd have to collect 20,000 US dollars to get her operated at a private hospital.
Our team had a discussion with the cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Harold Munoz, at the public hospital in Cochabamba (Hospital Viedma). He reviewed the case and offered to operate on Diana for much less. Here is the breakdown of the expenses.
Hospital Fee: $1500
Cardiac Anesthesia: $500
Medications (e.g. Milrinone, Protamine, Adrenaline, etc): $500
Oxygenater: $850
Dacron Patch: $350
Surgical instruments/ Sternotomy: $350
Total medical expenses: $4000
Since Diana's family cannot even afford a small fraction of this amount, we decided to raise 5k on her behalf, and use the extra 1k for any unforeseen expenses and gift whatever funds are left for Diana's postoperative care and schooling. Diana and her family were very happy to hear about our intention to fund her surgery. It was the first time our team saw her smile.
How Can You Help
1) By donating towards Diana's heart surgery.
2) If you are unable to donate, at least remember Diana in your thoughts and prayers.
3) Share this link and be a part of Diana's team with hashtag #DianaHeart on social media.
Thank you all for making a difference to Diana's life. May Diana keep smiling her whole life, amen.
Diana, with Dr. Smriti Banthia and Dr. Elizabeth Twoe at Viedma Hospital, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
I, and Dr. Peralta (lead, Pacer Project mission to Bolivia), discussing Diana's case with Dr. Harold Munoz.
Diana smiling after hearing about our intention to fund her surgery. According to Dr. Silvia Pozo, a local physician who knows her case very well, this was the first time Diana smiled during a hospital visit.
More Pictures: Click here
Project Pacer International: Click here
On the trip, we also met Diana, an 11-year girl with a 2 cm hole (VSD) in her heart, and in need of heart surgery without which she wouldn't probably live very long. Diana's heart defect has not been repaired because of finniancial reasons. Her parents were told they'd have to collect 20,000 US dollars to get her operated at a private hospital.
Our team had a discussion with the cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Harold Munoz, at the public hospital in Cochabamba (Hospital Viedma). He reviewed the case and offered to operate on Diana for much less. Here is the breakdown of the expenses.
Hospital Fee: $1500
Cardiac Anesthesia: $500
Medications (e.g. Milrinone, Protamine, Adrenaline, etc): $500
Oxygenater: $850
Dacron Patch: $350
Surgical instruments/ Sternotomy: $350
Total medical expenses: $4000
Since Diana's family cannot even afford a small fraction of this amount, we decided to raise 5k on her behalf, and use the extra 1k for any unforeseen expenses and gift whatever funds are left for Diana's postoperative care and schooling. Diana and her family were very happy to hear about our intention to fund her surgery. It was the first time our team saw her smile.
How Can You Help
1) By donating towards Diana's heart surgery.
2) If you are unable to donate, at least remember Diana in your thoughts and prayers.
3) Share this link and be a part of Diana's team with hashtag #DianaHeart on social media.
Thank you all for making a difference to Diana's life. May Diana keep smiling her whole life, amen.
Diana, with Dr. Smriti Banthia and Dr. Elizabeth Twoe at Viedma Hospital, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
I, and Dr. Peralta (lead, Pacer Project mission to Bolivia), discussing Diana's case with Dr. Harold Munoz.
Diana smiling after hearing about our intention to fund her surgery. According to Dr. Silvia Pozo, a local physician who knows her case very well, this was the first time Diana smiled during a hospital visit.
More Pictures: Click here
Project Pacer International: Click here
Organizer
Kashif N Chaudhry
Organizer
Burlington, MA
Project Pacer International Ltd
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.