Founded in 2010, HeartGift Louisiana

At HeartGift Louisiana, our mission is to provide life-saving heart surgery to children from around the world.

Mended Hearts

Kenawak
Litzy
Daniel
Joseph
Oliver
Jesie
Gift
Javier

Kenawak – 9 years old – Ethiopia

Kenawak’s mom knew immediately that there was something was wrong with her baby boy when he was born. He struggled to breathe and would turn blue around his eyes when he cried. Kenawak was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, a congenital birth defect where a part of the aorta is narrower than usual blocking normal blood flow to the body. At 9-months-old, Kenawak had a procedure in Canada to repair his coarctation using cardiac catheterization. By using this method, he didn’t have to undergo open heart surgery, but the doctors advised his mom that around age ten, Kenawak would most likely need to have another surgery. Fast forward eight years, Kenawak’s family contacted HeartGift and he was accepted for his second procedure. Thanks to the medical team at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, Kenawak’s surgery went smoothly and he healed quickly. Afterwards, he went to the beach for the very first time and learned even how to fish! Kenawak has a very bright future ahead of him.

Litzy – 3 years old – Nicaragua

Shortly after birth, little Litzy was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), four defects that affect the structure of the heart. Her mother – a school teacher – prayed for a miracle for several years when she discovered HeartGift. With her heart in such bad condition, Litzy was moved to the top of the list to receive surgery. Thanks to pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Timothy Pettitt at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, she came through her surgery with flying colors and thrived. Litzy was officially recognized as the 800^th child saved when she and her mother attended “Party With a Purpose,” HeartGift’s annual fundraiser in Austin. She was introduced on stage in front of hundreds of party-goers and completely stole the show! While staying in New Orleans, Litzy and her mom went on a swamp tour to see alligators and other wildlife and visited the zoo, as well as experienced Mardi Gras!

Daniel – 1 1/2 years old – Belize

At only three weeks old, Daniel’s father noticed his son was turning blue. He knew something wasn’t right and his baby needed to be checked by a doctor. Daniel was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole between the two lower chambers of his tiny heart. By word of mouth, Daniel’s father heard about HeartGift and reached out, and Daniel was accepted. Coming from a Mennonite community, Daniel’s family was not sure what to expect from a first-time airplane ride to traveling to a new country where most people do not speak German, but they arrived safe and sound in Louisiana.

Initially, Daniel’s surgery was delayed after he contracted several viruses and needed time to heal. Ultimately, his surgery was successful thanks to the team at Children’s Hospital New Orleans and Daniel thrived. Immediately after surgery, he started gaining weight and growing big and strong. His dad says his favorite part about the whole experience was getting the opportunity to spend so much time with his son and said, “Everything little thing is going to be alright.”

Joseph – 1.5 years old – Uganda

Joseph is from the little town of Katende in the Mpigi district of Uganda. He was born with a protruding chest bone, and at 9-months-old, his mother decided to bring him to the doctor where he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a serious congenital heart defect comprised of four defects that affect the structure of the heart. His mother connected with HeartGift and she and Joseph flew to Louisiana for his life-saving surgery. Thanks to the medical team at Children’s Hospital New Orleans as well as pediatric cardiologist Dr. Thomas Kimball and pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Timothy Pettitt, Joseph’s preoperative studies and open-heart surgery was uneventful and went extremely smoothly. When he woke up, his mom was by his side smiling ear to ear! Joseph now has a very bright future ahead of him.

Oliver – 4 years old – Cuba

After trying to have a baby for a very long time, Oliver’s parents had their miracle baby! They were so happy and grateful. Unfortunately, 4-year-old Oliver was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a hole between the upper chambers of his heart when he was just 8 months old. His parents were told he needed surgery to repair the defect. Oliver waited for his surgery at home in Cuba, but there were many patients who needed cardiac care – the wait became too long, and he became very weak. HeartGift was happy to expedite the timeline and help by providing Oliver’s free, life-saving heart surgery. After a successful surgery at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, Oliver now has so much energy and wants to be a superhero when he grows up!

Jesie’s Story

Jesie was three-months old when doctors diagnosed him with a hole in his heart. The physicians in the Philippines told Mom “Start praying because there is nothing else we can do”.

After seven long years Eva found HeartGift. She arrived with Jesie in February 2018 and following extensive dental work by the LSU Pediatric Dental team his heart was successfully repaired at Children’s Hospital. Three days later Jesie walked out of the hospital with a healthy heart. He is now home in the Philippines finally able to play basketball with the other kids.

Gift’s Story

Three-year old Gift arrived in Louisiana in March 2018 with a dangerously low oxygen saturation rate. She was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a common form of heart disease. Her symptoms were getting worse, and the local physicians in Uganda could not help her. Following her surgery at Children’s Hospital the change was dramatic. This once “blue” little girl was pink and able to run around laughing and singing. She felt so much better that upon her return home she officially changed her name at school from “Gift” to “HeartGift”.

Javier’s Story

Javier spent most of his days either sitting or squatting down because it was the only way his body could get enough oxygen. Physicians in Honduras were able to diagnose his heart defect, but they could not repair it. Thanks to the generosity of ED&F Man, Javier was able to come to New Orleans where doctors at Children’s Hospital successfully repaired his heart earlier this year. No more sitting around for him! Following his surgery Javier and his mother were the guests of honor at a reception hosted by ED&F Man. He was the 21st child they have either fully or partially sponsored.

Kenawak: Kenawak – 9 years old – Ethiopia

Kenawak’s mom knew immediately that there was something was wrong with her baby boy when he was born. He struggled to breathe and would turn blue around his eyes when he cried. Kenawak was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta, a congenital birth defect where a part of the aorta is narrower than usual blocking normal blood flow to the body. At 9-months-old, Kenawak had a procedure in Canada to repair his coarctation using cardiac catheterization. By using this method, he didn’t have to undergo open heart surgery, but the doctors advised his mom that around age ten, Kenawak would most likely need to have another surgery. Fast forward eight years, Kenawak’s family contacted HeartGift and he was accepted for his second procedure. Thanks to the medical team at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, Kenawak’s surgery went smoothly and he healed quickly. Afterwards, he went to the beach for the very first time and learned even how to fish! Kenawak has a very bright future ahead of him.
Litzy: Litzy – 3 years old – Nicaragua

Shortly after birth, little Litzy was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), four defects that affect the structure of the heart. Her mother – a school teacher – prayed for a miracle for several years when she discovered HeartGift. With her heart in such bad condition, Litzy was moved to the top of the list to receive surgery. Thanks to pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Timothy Pettitt at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, she came through her surgery with flying colors and thrived. Litzy was officially recognized as the 800^th child saved when she and her mother attended “Party With a Purpose,” HeartGift’s annual fundraiser in Austin. She was introduced on stage in front of hundreds of party-goers and completely stole the show! While staying in New Orleans, Litzy and her mom went on a swamp tour to see alligators and other wildlife and visited the zoo, as well as experienced Mardi Gras!
Daniel: Daniel – 1 1/2 years old – Belize

At only three weeks old, Daniel’s father noticed his son was turning blue. He knew something wasn’t right and his baby needed to be checked by a doctor. Daniel was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole between the two lower chambers of his tiny heart. By word of mouth, Daniel’s father heard about HeartGift and reached out, and Daniel was accepted. Coming from a Mennonite community, Daniel’s family was not sure what to expect from a first-time airplane ride to traveling to a new country where most people do not speak German, but they arrived safe and sound in Louisiana.

Initially, Daniel’s surgery was delayed after he contracted several viruses and needed time to heal. Ultimately, his surgery was successful thanks to the team at Children’s Hospital New Orleans and Daniel thrived. Immediately after surgery, he started gaining weight and growing big and strong. His dad says his favorite part about the whole experience was getting the opportunity to spend so much time with his son and said, “Everything little thing is going to be alright.”
Joseph: Joseph – 1.5 years old – Uganda

Joseph is from the little town of Katende in the Mpigi district of Uganda. He was born with a protruding chest bone, and at 9-months-old, his mother decided to bring him to the doctor where he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), a serious congenital heart defect comprised of four defects that affect the structure of the heart. His mother connected with HeartGift and she and Joseph flew to Louisiana for his life-saving surgery. Thanks to the medical team at Children’s Hospital New Orleans as well as pediatric cardiologist Dr. Thomas Kimball and pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Timothy Pettitt, Joseph’s preoperative studies and open-heart surgery was uneventful and went extremely smoothly. When he woke up, his mom was by his side smiling ear to ear! Joseph now has a very bright future ahead of him.
Oliver: Oliver – 4 years old – Cuba

After trying to have a baby for a very long time, Oliver’s parents had their miracle baby! They were so happy and grateful. Unfortunately, 4-year-old Oliver was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a hole between the upper chambers of his heart when he was just 8 months old. His parents were told he needed surgery to repair the defect. Oliver waited for his surgery at home in Cuba, but there were many patients who needed cardiac care – the wait became too long, and he became very weak. HeartGift was happy to expedite the timeline and help by providing Oliver’s free, life-saving heart surgery. After a successful surgery at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, Oliver now has so much energy and wants to be a superhero when he grows up!
Jesie: Jesie’s Story

Jesie was three-months old when doctors diagnosed him with a hole in his heart. The physicians in the Philippines told Mom “Start praying because there is nothing else we can do”.

After seven long years Eva found HeartGift. She arrived with Jesie in February 2018 and following extensive dental work by the LSU Pediatric Dental team his heart was successfully repaired at Children’s Hospital. Three days later Jesie walked out of the hospital with a healthy heart. He is now home in the Philippines finally able to play basketball with the other kids.
Gift: Gift’s Story

Three-year old Gift arrived in Louisiana in March 2018 with a dangerously low oxygen saturation rate. She was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a common form of heart disease. Her symptoms were getting worse, and the local physicians in Uganda could not help her. Following her surgery at Children’s Hospital the change was dramatic. This once “blue” little girl was pink and able to run around laughing and singing. She felt so much better that upon her return home she officially changed her name at school from “Gift” to “HeartGift”.
Javier: Javier’s Story

Javier spent most of his days either sitting or squatting down because it was the only way his body could get enough oxygen. Physicians in Honduras were able to diagnose his heart defect, but they could not repair it. Thanks to the generosity of ED&F Man, Javier was able to come to New Orleans where doctors at Children’s Hospital successfully repaired his heart earlier this year. No more sitting around for him! Following his surgery Javier and his mother were the guests of honor at a reception hosted by ED&F Man. He was the 21st child they have either fully or partially sponsored.

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News & Events

Patient Updates

Jallah

Jallah was eight-months old when he came to New Orleans in 2013. He recently graduated from Kindergarten and continues thrive.

Jeran

Jeran was our youngest Louisiana HeartGift child when he arrived in June 2015 at only six-months old. Today is healthy and keeps his mother very busy chasing after him.

Yaszy

Yaszy loves to play dress up and try on different clothes. Future Miss Philippines maybe?

Moufdi

Moufdi spent much of his time before he came to Louisiana in 2014 worried about his health and his heart defect. Four years later, however, he is healthy and focused on being the world’s best big brother!