That’s 1 in 100 children worldwide. Only 10% of these children have access to the specialized medical care they need to save their lives. The majority live in rural areas of poverty-stricken, developing countries where access to necessary medical care is limited at best. If medical care does exist, it is financially inaccessible. Without help, these children will die.

A congenital heart defect doesn’t just rob children of their ability to attend school or play freely; it traps families in a cycle of fear and sacrifice. Parents often find themselves unable to work, dedicating their lives to caring for a child who should be thriving, not suffering.

But access to corrective heart surgery changes everything. It transforms lives. Children who once faced a future of limitations are suddenly given the chance to grow, reach milestones, and embrace a world full of opportunities. With their health restored, they can experience childhood as it was meant to be—full of joy, learning, and play. Parents, too, regain a sense of hope and security. They can return to their jobs, knowing their child’s future is no longer clouded by illness.

Just one surgery changes everything.