Sana’s Success Story
Since inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF), have financially supported 4,523 child heart surgeries. This is the success story of 5-year-old Sana, 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.
Growing up in Loralai, a relatively lesser-known and mainly rural region in Balochistan, Sana would often experience breathing difficulties, especially after walking from one place to another. Her lips were also turning blue and that’s when her parents took her to a local doctor.
Initially, her condition was not properly diagnosed and the family had to travel to different hospitals in various cities before eventually being told to have Sana undergo an Echocardiography (ECHO), which is a cardiac ultrasound. The results confirmed the presence of TOF.
After being told that Sana’s life was in danger, her parents were absolutely devastated. They could not fathom a life without her and immediately started the search for treatment options. When they learned the estimated cost of the required procedure, they felt in even deeper crisis.
Sana’s father works as a labourer and is the sole breadwinner in a family of 7. He was in desperate need of financial support and after asking around, he was informed of Dr. Salman A. Shah, a renowned Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon based in Lahore. Now, Sana’s road to healing would begin.
Dr. Shah happens to be a PCHF Medical Advisory Board Member as well and once he heard the case, he referred them to us. Being a premier organization in the field of CHD, we were entrusted with transforming their lives.
Following a detailed meeting for patient registration, they were given the news that we would be able to sponsor Sana’s heart surgery. This was a relief for her parents and was possible only because of our generous donor base, both organizations and individuals who believe in our cause.
Commendably, Sana’s father would also make a small contribution towards the surgery which was scheduled at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH). A world-class team of CHD healthcare professionals was on board.
With all preparations complete and formalities taken care of, the family was asked to just stay strong and pray for everything to go well. This is obviously easier said than done, but to their credit, they remained calm throughout the time that Sana was fighting for her life.
A few hours later, it was our privilege to reveal the news that Sana had defeated CHD! She was now a ‘CHD Warrior’ who had shown tremendous resolve and could now go on to live a completely normal life.
Her loved ones revelled in the moments that felt truly unbelievable. At the time of discharge, they only had words of immense appreciation for our entire team and wished us continued success in all our projects. Such kindness will always be a driving force for our organization to keep on turning dreams into reality.
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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