Laiba’s Success Story
Since inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF), have financially supported 4,747 child heart surgeries. This is the success story of 17-year-old Laiba, who was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) called Tetralogy Of Fallot (TOF).
In TOF, 4 related heart defects affect blood flow. In most cases, too little blood goes to the lungs. Low-oxygen blood then circulates to the rest of the body and not enough oxygen can reach body tissues. Children with TOF often have cyanosis, a blue or purple tint to the skin, lips and fingernails.
Living in the Lower Dir District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, Laiba had been suffering from signs and symptoms of CHD since a very young age. She had cyanosis and used to experience a rapid heartbeat at times. She also had trouble walking to places and would often end up fainting.
Her parents took her to various hospitals throughout KPK and once an Echocardiography (ECHO), which is a cardiac ultrasound, was recommended, they finally found out that Laiba had a potentially fatal CHD. Laiba’s family was absolutely devastated.
Adding to their woes was the fact that the required procedure needed to treat Laiba, which is called a Total Correction, was relatively expensive. Working as a shopkeeper and solely supporting a family of 12, Laiba’s father needed financial support.
After years of searching for options, he was eventually told about our organization by a doctor in KPK. Just when all seemed lost, a ray of hope emerged and this would be the beginning of a new, life-changing period.
He wasted no time in contacting us and was able to schedule a meeting with our team. Once we met the family, they were informed by us firsthand that we are an organization solely dedicated to saving lives of children like Laiba and had paved the way to a normal life for thousands of families affected by CHD.
We also told them that we are blessed with a generous donor base, both organizations and individuals who believe in our cause, and so arranging funds would be done swiftly. Admirably, Laiba’s father would also make a significant contribution after the cost of the surgery was disclosed.
With the funds taken care of, Laiba’s heart surgery was scheduled at one of our partner hospitals, Ittefaq Hospital (Trust) Lahore, and all other formalities were also taken care of. A world-class team of CHD healthcare professionals was on board as well.
After a journey that involved so much grief, struggle and heartache, the family was told that we would do everything in our power to ensure that their efforts did not go to waste. Laiba was under excellent care and all they had to now was pray for the treatment to go well.
A few very difficult hours later, the family was given great news. Laiba had defeated CHD! She was now a ‘CHD Warrior’ who had overcome enormous strife. This was a heartwarming moment for everyone involved.
Laiba’s family had placed their trust in us and we had fulfilled their dream. They were grateful beyond measure and said that they would continue praying for our success all their lives. These are the kind of words that drive us to do our utmost for those in need.
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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