Aitana
When Aitana was born, in the fall or 2019, doctors detected a heart murmur. Upon further evaluation, Aitana was diagnosed with supravalvular aortic stenosis. This is a disorder which develops before birth and is characterized by anarrowing of the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Doctors informed Aitana’s parents that without treatment this condition would cause continued shortness of breath, chest pain, and potentially heart failure.
Aitana’s parents Luis and Jhezmi were overwhelmed with the prospect of paying for heart surgery, but they wanted to do all they could for their daughter. Luis supports the small family as a truck driver while Jhezmi stays at home with the child. With their limited income, they can cover the cost of food and rent for their one-bedroom apartment, but as Aitana’s medical expenses increased the couple turned to Puente de Solidaridad for help.
Puente de Solidaridad social workers determined Aitana was eligible for support through the Pediatric Open Heart Surgery program. On September 3rd, cardiologists performed the balloon valvuloplasty to improve Aitana’s heart condition. She was released from the hospital the following day. Two-year-old Aitana’s life will be forever changed because of this simple surgery that was made possible through great love.