Evelin
Evelin was hospitalized over a dozen times in the public children’s hospital in Santa Cruz in her first 11 months, often bordering on life and death. She was sufficiently stabilized to undergo open heart surgery on September 3, 2023, to repair multiple holes in her heart. Her mom has not left her side since she was born, leaving her dad to sustain the family as a photographer (Evelin is now his favorite subject!). Evelin’s recovery has been guarded, as she still struggles to eat. Doctors are currently considering inserting a feeding tube to improve her nutrition.