This is the success story of Zaid, a 9-year-old ‘Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Survivor’. He was diagnosed with a CHD called a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), in which there is a hole that occurs in the septum (wall) that separates the heart’s lower ventricles (chambers) and allows blood to pass from the left to the right side of the heart.
The oxygen-rich blood then gets pumped back to the lungs instead of out to the body, causing the heart to work harder. A VSD is potentially life-threatening, and symptoms include shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections, paleness etc.
When Zaid was just an infant, barely a month after birth, he started getting ill frequently. As he used to recover, his parents initially did not get him thoroughly checked. Years went by, his symptoms got worse and they finally got him a medical check-up in their hometown of Khairpur, a city in the province of Sindh.
The doctor there recommended going to Lahore and getting an echocardiography (ECHO), a cardiac ultrasound, at the renowned Children’s Hospital. His parents wasted no time and immediately travelled to a whole new city for their son.
The results of Zaid’s ECHO revealed his potentially life-threatening heart condition. His parents were shocked and tremendously upset. They asked the doctors what to do now and they were referred to Dr. Faiz Rasool, a renowned Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon in the city of Lahore.
When they met him, they were informed of the high cost of the required treatment. Zaid’s father, a farmer who solely supports his whole family, said that he would need financial support. That’s when they were told to visit us.
Since inception in 2016, we have restored hope for 485 families. We are blessed with an incredible donor base, both individuals and organizations alongside us on our journey, and because of their support we were going to step in for Zaid’s family as well.
With the funds arranged and all other formalities taken care of, Zaid’s heart surgery was scheduled at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH), with a world-class team of healthcare professionals on board and Dr. Rasool was to carry out the surgery himself. Zaid’s father also contributed a small portion of the required funds.
The entire family was hoping and praying for the best throughout the procedure which lasted a few hours. Once the surgery was complete, it was a privilege for us to tell them that Zaid had emerged from it as a ‘CHD Survivor’. He would now be able to live a normal life filled with special moments with loved ones. One healed heart led to multiple happy lives!
1 in 100 children are born with CHD, the world’s most common birth defect. We hope that these stories inspire even more people to contribute towards our cause so that we can continue shaping a brighter future for affected children and their families. We are genuinely leaving no stone unturned for them. Every life matters, every child matters.
Join us on our journey to conquering CHD in Pakistan by donating now towards child heart surgeries or the construction of Pakistan’s first dedicated Children’s Heart Hospital & Research Institute (CHHRI) at: https://pchfna.kindful.com/
#SuccessStory #CHDSurvivor #VSD
#EveryLifeMattersEveryChildMatters #PCHFNA
