Itzayana

Itzayana is the youngest daughter of Porfirio and María. When Itzayana was born in June of 2018, doctors heard a heart murmur, but thought it would heal on its own. After six months, Itzayana was hospitalized for pneumonia. She recovered for a few weeks but then was hospitalized again with very weak health. Cardiologists at the Japanese Hospital in Santa Cruz suggested surgery to correct the patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect in Itzayana's heart.

Porfirio works as a bricklayer's assistant to support his three children. María worked as a school janitor until Itzayana's health issues required her full-time attention. The couple sought help wherever they could to pay for their daughter's heart surgery. They were happy to receive support through the Puente de Solidaridad Pediatric Heart Surgery program, with financial support from Dharma Social Projects.

On September 23, 2019, the newborn was finally able to receive the life-saving heart surgery at the Incor Hospital with Dr. Barrientos and Dr. Jaldín. After one week in the hospital, she was able to return home under the loving care of her parents and siblings.

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