1-Year-Old Imran’s Success Story
#SaturdaySpecial #SuccessStory
This is the tremendously inspirational success story of little Imran, a 1-year-old ‘Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Warrior’ who came to us all the way from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. He was diagnosed with a CHD known as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).
ASD is a hole in the septum (wall) between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. The hole increases the amount of blood that flows through the lungs. A large, long-standing ASD can damage the heart and lungs.
Imran’s family resides in Mirpur, the second largest city of Azad Kashmir. It is also known as ‘Little England’, as a significant portion of its population migrated to the UK in the 1950s and 60s, and many shops there even accept the Pound Sterling. Despite going through a process of modernization though, the treatment needed to save Imran’s life was unavailable there.
Around a month after birth, Imran’s family received the devastating news about his potentially fatal disease. After initial check-ups at a hospital in their hometown, they took Imran to Rawalpindi for further checks. It was there that they were told to travel to Lahore and meet Dr. M. Asim Khan, a renowned Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon & PCHF Medical Advisory Board Member.
Dr. Asim informed them that Imran would need to go through a life-saving procedure called a CP-Shunt, which is quite expensive. With limited resources at his disposal and being the sole breadwinner in his household, which includes his wife and 3 children, Imran’s father would need financial support. After learning of this, Dr. Asim then referred them to us.
Our vast experience of around a decade dealing with similar cases makes us amongst the best at what we do, which is providing world-class treatment to children suffering from CHD, the world’s most common birth defect, and giving them a second chance at life.
After just 2 weeks, we were able to schedule Imran’s surgery at one of our partner hospitals, the prestigious Ittefaq Hospital Lahore. Dr. Asim was to perform the procedure himself. Imran’s father was admirably able to arrange around half of the required funds, with our phenomenal donor base being called upon for the other half.
With a brilliant team of healthcare professionals joining Dr. Asim, all the preparations for Imran’s surgery went exactly as planned. All that was needed now was the prayers of Imran’s loved ones. The procedure was to last a few hours, which can surely be considered the hardest time of his family’s lives.
Thankfully, after all the hard work everyone involved had put in, Imran’s heart surgery was a resounding success. He successfully defeated the odds with a fighter’s spirit! He can now live a normal, healthy life and go on to chase his dreams like other children.
Imran’s family was over the moon and immensely grateful for everything we did for them. From start to finish, registration to discharge, they were tremendously happy with our entire process. They wished us every success on our mission and were inspired to the extent that they want young Imran to become a doctor, so he can also help deserving people like we do.
For CHD affected families, no matter how hard things get, no matter how impossible things seem, we are here for you. Legendary Pakistani cricketer, Misbah Ul Haq, is also alongside us on the journey to conquering CHD in Pakistan, by helping build the nation’s first dedicated, state-of-the-art Children’s Heart Hospital & Research Institute (CHHRI), as a PCHF Board Member.
You can also join us and donate towards children’s heart surgeries or hospital construction at:
#PlayYourPartSaveLittleHearts #MySecondInnings
#CHD #CHDAwareness #ConqueringCHD #1in100
#Hero4HeartKids #CHDCare4Life #ACHD
#Cardiology #Cardiovascular #Pediatric
