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HeartGift

Austin

Founded in 2000, HeartGift Austin.

At HeartGift Austin, our mission is to provide lifesaving heart surgery to children from around the world.

Yujia Song, China

Yujia was referred to HeartGift by Save Asian Souls after her story was featured on the local news. Yujia was abandoned shortly after birth and adopted by a couple from their community. She was born with a cleft palate, and a cleft lip. At age 5, during her surgery for her cleft palate, it was discovered she had a heart defect. HeartGift accepted Yujia’s case and brought her to Austin along with a guardian who worked at the local hospital where she met Yujia. She received her heart surgery on April 11, 2017. Since she has returned home to China, we received a recent update letting us know that she is continuing to do very well and is happy.

Bwabwane Meeia, Republic of Kiribati Islands

Bwabwane was referred to HeartGift by Pacific Medical Aide. When Bwabwane arrived in Austin, it was obvious that she didn’t feel well. Her host mom, was watching Bwabwane jump on the trampoline with her daughters, and noticed she had to stop. She got off of the trampoline, went to an area of the backyard by herself, and started crying. When host mom asked her, why she was crying, she responded by saying “I can’t keep up with the other kids, I am not normal like them.” Bwabwane had open heart surgery on October 24, 2017 and was released from the hospital just two days before Halloween. She was able to go trick or treating and in fact, she turned back to the adults, “I am not tired anymore, I am finally normal!” Because Bwabwane is older than most HeartGift children, for the first time ever, we had a child who could really communicate how they felt before and after surgery.

Purity Okundaye, Nigeria

Purity was referred to HeartGift by Dr. Chizoba Efobi from Nigeria and Dr. Jeffrey McNeil who was on a medical mission trip in Nigeria. Purity was diagnosed with Tetrology of Fallot in 2012 after years of concern regarding having bluish discoloration of his lips, hands and feet with several, poor growth and development delay. His mother, Anita would carry him everywhere they went as he didn’t have the energy to walk and would squat to catch his breath. Due to the lack of oxygen, had signs of clubbing in his fingers and toes. Purity would not be able to consistently be on any medications, due to financial constraints. Being a single parent of 3, Anita would work odd jobs to provide for her children while carrying Purity on her back. Purity received his HeartGift in March 2018. With no complications from surgery and no longer requires any medication, he and his mother returned home to Nigeria where Purity is now attending school, always smiling and loves the fact that he can now keep up with his older brother and younger sister.

Your help is needed more
than you know

With your support we will continue to save precious lives, one HeartGift at a time.

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News & Events

Current Month

Patient Updates

Kenya (2018)

Fardosa Ahmed Mursal

Fardosa was almost 2 when she came to Austin and received her HeartGift in May 2018. She arrived very unsure of everyone she came in contact with, but today she embraces everyone. Not only did she have an amazing transformation, her mother did as well. She is a happy and healthy child that continues to thrive.

Philippines (2017)

Love Theodore Abadilla

Love was 2 when he came to Austin in February 2017 to receive his HeartGift. Today he is healthy and keeps amazing his mother with his increased energy.

Kosovo (2008)

Erris Halilismoni

Erris was only 8 months old when he came to Austin in 2008 from Kosovo. It has been 10 years and you would never know that he had heart surgery. He is now in the 5th grade and is doing incredibly well.

Nicaragua (2011)

Sandra Reyes Martinez

Sandra is from Nicaragua and came to Austin in 2011. She arrived not being able to walk or even smile due to the lack of oxygen. Just a few short days after her arrival, Sandra received her HeartGift in May 2011 without any complications. With a little bit of physical therapy, Sandra learned how to walk and she hasn’t stopped smiling since. Today she is attending school and helps her family on their farm.

Austin Team

Sonya Keeling

Sonya Keeling

Program Manager

You can help make a difference

HeartGift Austin can use your help! Contact us today to see how you can help save lives.

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You can give the gift of life and help provide critical heart surgery for these children by donating your time and money.

-Reese Ryan

Former HeartGift Board Chair

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Blessing, Uganda
Live saved in 2016