Success Story: A 2-Year-Old Who Found Courage In The Face Of Adversity
Since our inception in 2012, we at Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation (PCHF), have helped 2672 children get heart surgery. This is the amazing success story of a 2-year-old Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) survivor who found courage in the face of adversity. As a budding, little child, Abdul Ahad was diagnosed with a CHD known as Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). His parents were absolutely devastated and started fearing the worst. They wanted to do everything they could to save their little boy.
‘Every child deserves a chance at a life filled with love, laughter, friends and family.’ – Marlo Thomas, Social Activist
VSD, also known as a hole in the heart, is a common heart defect that’s present at birth. The hole occurs in the septum (wall) that separates the heart’s lower ventricles (chambers) and allows blood to pass from the left to the right side of the heart. The oxygen-rich blood then gets pumped back to the lungs instead of out to the body, causing the heart to work harder.
We provide the highest quality of care for children with heart disease, irrespective of their financial means. Each year around 60,000 children are born with CHD in Pakistan, and a large majority of these children are unable to get the treatment required, due to lack of facilities, personnel and the high costs involved. That is where we step in.
Abdul’s family brought him to us all the way from Rahim Yar Khan. They came full of hope for their child, and were looking to end their immense distress. Abdul’s father, Muhammad Ishtiaq, works as a storekeeper, and his mother, Sumreen Iqbal, is a housewife. With limited resources, they try their utmost to support their 3 children.
Little Abdul was diagnosed with this disease when he was only around 3 months old. His father brought him to Children’s Hospital Lahore, where because of the waiting list of thousands of children, he couldn’t get a timeslot for his beloved son’s surgery.
After asking around and while looking for other viable options, his father came across our vibrant social media handles. That’s when he contacted us and where we stepped in to help save his child. From hospital related formalities to the required funds, which with the incredible support of our donors we arranged 75% of, we facilitated them every step of the way.
Thankfully, the prayers of Abdul’s family were answered as his planned treatment was scheduled through a swift, smooth and extremely efficient process. Blessedly, the surgery was a massive success, and after a few days in the hospital under the special care of our brilliant team of healthcare professionals, he was discharged. Muhammad Ishtiaq and Sumreen Iqbal are now proud parents of a ‘CHD Warrior’.
We made a real difference in the lives of Abdul Ahad and his family, turning their dreams into reality. 1 in 100 children, who can help shape a brighter future for our country, are born with CHD. They vitally require your help and support.
Legendary Pakistani cricketer, Misbah Ul Haq, has also joined 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 and Research Institute (CHHRI).
You can donate towards children’s heart surgeries or hospital construction at:
#MySecondInnings #Donate #Charity #PCHF #CHHRI #CHD #Zakat #Hajj
