Aafeen’s Success Story
Since inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF) have helped fund 4216 life-saving child heart surgeries. This is the success story of 3-year-old Aafeen who was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) called a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).
A VSD is a birth defect in which there is a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the 2 upper chambers (ventricles) of the heart. This leads to extra blood being pumped into the lungs and forces the heart to work harder. If this is not repaired the risk of heart failure or other complications like a stroke increases.
As an infant, Aafeen was suffering from signs and symptoms such as chest infections, breathing problems etc. Her father, not knowing the extent of the underlying issue, took her to the renowned Children’s Hospital in Lahore.
After a thorough examination, Aafeen’s family was told to get her an Echocardiography (ECHO), a cardiac ultrasound. They suspected CHD and when the results of the test arrived, it was confirmed.
When Aafeen’s parents were informed of her potentially life-threatening heart condition, it was like their whole world had changed in an instant. A life without her was unimaginable for them and adding to their woes was the fact that the required treatment was quite expensive.
Aafeen’s father, working as a salesman in Muzaffargarh who solely supports his whole family, would find it unaffordable. He needed financial support and fortunately for him, he was told to visit PCHF.
Not wasting anytime whatsoever, he managed to schedule a meeting with us. Being a premier organization in the field of CHD, we studied Aafeen’s case and told her family that we would do our absolute utmost to save her life.
Being blessed with a remarkable donor base, both organizations and individuals who believe in our cause, arranging funds for Aafeen’s treatment was not a problem. Despite his financial constraints, Aafeen’s father also contributed a certain amount as well which was highly commendable.
Aafeen’s heart surgery was then scheduled at the world-class PCHF Cardiac Care Center at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH). A brilliant team of CHD healthcare professionals was on board and as Aafeen went in for surgery, her family was asked to raise her spirits.
During the hours that followed, all of Aafeen’s loved ones were praying for her health and after the completion of the procedure, it was a privilege for our team to reveal to them that their prayers had been answered. Aafeen, in the fight for her life, had emerged victorious!
She was now a ‘CHD Warrior’ and her parents were filled with feelings of both relief and joy. They also felt eternally grateful to us and wished our organization the very best. We always appreciate such kinds words and use them as a driving force for continued success.
For CHD affected families, no matter how hard things get, no matter how impossible things may seem, we at PCHF – charity you can trust with all your heart, are here for you. Our goal is to ensure that not a single child born with CHD in Pakistan remains untreated.
Legendary Pakistani cricketer, Misbah Ul Haq, is also alongside us on our journey to conquering CHD, by helping build the nation’s first dedicated Children’s Heart Hospital & Research Institute, as a PCHF Board Member.
You can join us as well and donate towards child heart treatment or hospital construction. Together, let’s do our utmost to save young lives and help shape a brighter future. Play your part, save little hearts: https://pchf.org.pk/donate/
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