EMERGENCY FROM THE WEST BANK
Sidqi was rushed to the Wolfson Medical Center in Israel on September 15 after doctors realized he was born with transposition of the great arteries. This requires emergency surgery to switch the arteries back to their proper places if the child is to survive and have a normal life. Click here for the latest details.
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The Israeli cardiologist who screens Iraqi children in Jordan has, in a rare move, agreed to accept Tarza on the basis of her written medical report from Iraq. It shows that she has a hole between the atria of her heart, with no evidence yet of developing pulmonary hypertension which would leave her inoperable. We hope to bring her to Israel in mid-October.
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Rezhin also has a hole between the atria of her heart, which causes her to tire with any significant exertion. Surgery will allow her for the first time to participate in sports and walk to school freely. We hope to bring her to Israel in mid-October.
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The Israeli cardiologist who saw Alaa in March found a huge hole between the atria of her heart. As a consequence she is having cyanotic spells which can be life-threatening. Alaa can be cured through surgery, and we hope to have her in Israel in mid-October.
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An Israeli cardiologist found during screening in March 2008 that Chiro can probably be helped through catheterization, which will save Chiro the stigma in her society of having a scar across her chest. We hope to bring Chiro to Israel in mid-October.
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Omed, one of eight children of an Iraqi government worker, has a small hole between the ventricles of his heart. After examining him at a screening in Jordan, an Israeli doctor believes that it may be possible to close the hole by placing an "umbrella" device during catheterization. We hope to bring Omed to Israel in mid-October.
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Rawa, on October 3 turns 18 years old from the north of Iraq
Rawa's father borrowed money to reach our last screening by Israeli doctors in March. An attempt to close the hole in Rawa's heart through surgery in Baghdad failed in 1998, but doctors in Israel believe his heart can still be repaired. We hope to bring Rawa to Israel in mid-October.
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Mawa has the heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. Without correction it could take her life at any time; with surgery she has the hope of a normal life. Mawa arrived in Israel on August 19.
Alaa is another seven-year-old girl from the north of Iraq. Her medical report lists six different heart defects, and if you look closely you'll see the telltale cyanosis on her lips. Her life is in immediate danger, and we brought her to Israel on August 19.
Little Shana also has a half-dozen heart defects listed in her medical report, and the oxygen saturation in her bloodstream is at a life-threatening 63% of normal. We brought Shana to Israel on August 19.
REQUIRES URGENT INTERVENTION
Shkar and Shanaw (below) are the last two urgent cases from the March screening by an Israeli cardiologist. Shkar is now having trouble breathing, but the doctor believes that his long-overdue surgery can still give him a normal life. He reached Israel on July 14.
Hevi too is 12 years old and hoping for the new life which doctors believe heart surgery can give her. Her condition, Tetralogy of Fallot, can be fully repaired. Hevi's family called us in Jerusalem recently, anxiously inquiring whether we had forgotten her. She reached Israel on July 14.
The Israeli cardiologist found at our March screening that the heart of this frail young woman can be fully restored through surgery. Her internal organs are all on the opposite side of the normal ("situs inversus") -- sometimes surgeons will use a mirror to operate in this case! We brought her to Israel for surgery on July 14.
Kale's family also called to remind us that this cherub is waiting for help! Her favorite subject in the second grade is English, so she may be able to write back and forth with her sponsors. You may click here to see a photo from the screening that captures her mother's longing to see her daughter healed. We brought Kale to Israel on July 14.
REQUIRES URGENT INTERVENTION
You may not see it under the face painting that was done at our March screening, but Shanaw is a very blue young lady with a severe valvular obstruction in her heart. Doctors believe she can be cured through surgery and go on to a healthy normal life. We brought Shanaw to Israel on July 14.
Rasan has two heart defects as well as clubfeet and a cleft palate. His parents are fighting for his life and have themselves raised the funds to cover Rasan's hospital expenses; we still need funds to allow our staff to transport, house, and care for them during the next two or three months they'll be in Israel.
Nari, on March 20 turned eight years old from the north of Iraq
Nari was singled out for urgent intervention at the March screening to correct his Tetralogy of Fallot. He's had two cyanotic fainting spells due to low oxygen in his bloodstream. This makes his case an emergency, as a spell like this could take his life at any time. He reached Israel on May 14 and had successful surgery on June 10. You may read his updates by clicking here.
Ranj, just turned seven years old from the north of Iraq
Ranj has never gone to school because of his heart defect (Tetralogy of Fallot), but he wasn't shy about marching up to the front of our first meeting with the families and declaring "I want to go back to Iraq!" With surgery he'll have many years to put that boldness and determination to work. His successful surgery took place on June 19. You may read his updates by clicking here.
Shaima should have had surgery at six months of age to close a huge hole between the ventricles of her heart. Doctors weren't certain if they could help her, but a catheterization done in Israel May 14 found that she is still operable. She had her surgery Wednesday, May 28. A full report can be read by clicking here.
Cheya had his surgery on May 13 and is now recovering. He was excited on the morning of surgery, knowing his life would be changed forever. Click here to read more about his story.
Our name Shevet Achim is taken from the Hebrew of
Psalm 133: How good and how pleasant for
brothers to dwell together
in unity...For there the LORD commanded the
blessing--life forevermore.
