Irshad’s Success Story
Since inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF), have financially supported 4,650 child heart surgeries. This is the success story of 16-year-old Irshad, who was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) called an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).
An ASD is a hole in the wall (septum) between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. This hole increases the amount of blood that flows through the lungs. A large, long-standing ASD can damage both the heart and lungs. Symptoms include irregular heartbeats, fatigue, swelling etc.
Irshad and his family reside in a village on the outskirts of Lahore. Around the age of 7, signs and symptoms of his heart condition started developing. His parents, not knowing or thinking much about them, took him to for what they thought was just a routine medical check-up.
Irshad’s doctor, after conducting a thorough examination, suspected the presence of a CHD. He had Irshad undergo an Echocardiography (ECHO), which is a cardiac ultrasound, and the results of this test confirmed the doctor’s suspicions as there was in fact, a life-threatening heart disease involved.
This was devastating news not only for Irshad, but his whole family. They were told to immediately visit the renowned Children’s Hospital in Lahore for treatment options. This was going to be the start of a long and hard journey, which would include searching for financial support.
Irshad’s father works as a labourer and is the sole breadwinner in a family of 7. He could not afford the life-saving procedure that was required to save his son’s life. His search and struggle for his Irshad would last for almost a decade before eventually meeting Dr. Faiz Rasool, a renowned Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon.
Dr. Rasool is based in Lahore and also happens to be a PCHF Medical Advisory Board Member. Once he heard how Irshad’s family had been facing an unprecedented challenge , he referred them to us, one of the premier organizations in the field of CHD.
Being blessed with a generous donor base, both organizations and individuals who believe in our cause, we are in a position to tell such families that we will do our absolute best to help them overcome the adversity in their lives. For Irshad’s family, hearing such words felt truly relieving.
Irshad’s family also made a small contribution towards the planned treatment and given there circumstances, that was commendable. Once the funds were taken care of, the surgery was scheduled at our world-class Cardiac Care Center at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH).
An experienced team of healthcare professionals was on board and all other preparations were also complete. The time had now come for Irshad to fight for his life. His loved ones who were present were told that he was in the best of hands and all they had to now was pray for everything to go well.
The hours during which the procedure was taking place were difficult beyond measure for Irshad’s family, but to their credit, they remained strong and supportive throughout. Once the heart surgery was done, it was a privilege for us to inform them that Irshad had defeated CHD! He was now a ‘CHD Warrior’.
For Irshad’s family, this was a second chance at happiness and after so many years of heartache, they could not wait to start living normal lives together. They were thankful to our entire team and after redefining a young boy’s future, we wished them a blissful life ahead.
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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