Open Heart Uganda Project: how Sonia returned to life thanks to an extraordinary surgery
Thanks to Pobic's Open Heart program and the excellence of Italian cardiac surgery, a young African girl suffering from severe congenital heart disease has been given a second chance. A true story of hope, difficult choices, and a saved life.
In Africa, every year thousands of children born with severe heart malformations they do not have access to adequate care. But every now and then, thanks to the courage of families, Italian medical excellence, and the support of donors, a small miracle happens.
It is appropriate to Sonia, a 15-year-old girl suffering from a very severe congenital heart disease, who is alive today thanks to the intervention of pediatric cardiac surgery made possible by Fistfight through the program Open Heart.
A terminal diagnosis: a few months to live
During one Medical screening in Africa - Uganda, organized by Pobic last January, doctors identified Seven children in critical condition. Among them, Sonia stood out not only because of the severity of her illness, but also because she was visibly older than the others.
He was already 15 years old, and according to the doctors, She had only a few months left to live had she not undergone emergency surgery.
His progressive heart disease would lead to death by the age of 16. Yet Sonia continued to go to school, dreaming of being included in the program Open Heart which brings children with heart conditions to Italy for surgery.
A high-risk procedure
Among the serious cases, Sonia was the one with less time available, but also with the highest surgical risk. The Italian cardiac surgeon Dr. Giancarlo Michielon (Gaslini Hospital in Genoa), one of the world's leading experts in pediatric cardiac surgery, confirmed that the operation was possible, but with a risk of death equal to 50%.
In addition to the risk to life, there was a 70% in Probability that the girl would come out of surgery with a permanent pacemaker or with neurological disabilities caused by any complications.
Even the transaction costs were significantly higher than the others, due to the complexity and the specialized skills required.
The Choice of Courage and Life
The decision wasn't an easy one. It was up to the President of Pobic, Paolo, to assume moral and operational responsibility for give Sonia a chance. With great determination, Pobic started an extraordinary fundraiser and organized the transfer to Italy. Sonia’s family – mom, dad, and two little sisters – consciously agreed to take this risk. Because there was no other way to save the life of this young girl.
The miracle of Italian cardiac surgery
The procedure has been scheduled at Gaslini of Genoa, absolute excellence in the care of children with congenital heart disease. Surgery went beyond the best expectations: no cardiac arrest, no pacemaker, no neurological damage. Sonia's heart has been reconstructed. Today the girl can live a normal life. A new heart He gave him back his future.
Why support Pobic's Open Heart program
Every story like Sonia's is the result of a concrete union between highest-level medical expertise and a real humanitarian support. The program Open Heart by Pobic deals with identify, select, and operate on children and adolescents with severe heart conditions that in their countries of origin they would have no access to treatment.
Thanks to the donations, Pobic manages to fund travel, surgeries, and hospital stays, saving lives that would otherwise be destined to fade away. Sonia's story shows that donating truly saves a child's life.
THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT
WE SAVE THE LIVES OF DOZENS OF CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. HELP US DO EVEN MORE.
Author
OPERATING HEADQUARTERS
- Registered office / operational office Via Romanino 1 25123 Brescia
- +39 0376920464
- ong-pobic@ong-pobic.org
CONTACTS
Registered/Operational office
Via Romanino 1
25123 Brescia
Tel - +39 0376-920464
Headquarters
V. Belfiore No. 9
Bozzolo (MN)
Operations Headquarters
Via Santa Maria in Conio, 10
35131 Padua PD
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