50% of children with Down syndrome are born with a congenital heart defect, a hole in their heart. Surgery is recommended to correct the defect and must be done before the age of 6 months in order to prevent life threatening damage. (National Down Syndrome Society)

In the United States, Down syndrome can be diagnosed prenatally and when the child is born they immediately receive a heart scan and if needed they are provided with access to open heart surgery within the first 6 months of their life.

Due to lack of resources and education in developing countries, children with Down syndrome are not given the same opportunities or access to a heart scan, let alone open heart surgery. Some families are unaware that their child has Down syndrome, therefore they do not seek medical care. Most families are living in extreme poverty and simply cannot afford the medical treatment and surgery to repair the hole. As a result, these children are dying because they are not getting the most basic medical care. This is incredibly preventable.  

That’s where we come in!

We provide cardiac treatment to children with Down syndrome in need, granting them access to life changing open heart surgery.