One Child's Story of Hope

During a July 2023 mission in South Sudan, we screened and diagnosed children with heart disease at the Al Sabah hospital in Juba.

It was the first time we hosted a clinic there, in cooperation with IsraAid. The conditions were very hard, with unreliable electricity and many children waiting for the use of a single echo machine, but we worked with an amazing local team who were very dedicated to the mission. During the three days, we worked very long hours to screen 74 children. In the next few months, many of the children who can be helped will be brought to Israel for lifesaving procedures.

Gladis' Story

On the second day of the mission, a young mother brought her four year old daughter, Gladis, to the clinic. She had a heart defect and Dr. Akiva Tamir, the pediatric cardiologist who examined her, immediately realized that she was in a life-threatening condition.

On the day we were supposed to fly back to Israel, it was clear that we needed to do everything possible to bring her with us.

From South Sudan to Israel for Life-Saving Heart Care

Israeli ambassador to South Sudan, Gershon Keidar, helped with contacting the ministry in Israel to issue a visa upon arrival for Gladis and her mother. Ethiopian Airlines, who have been working with us for many years, were extremely helpful and helped us prepare everything.

We flew from Juba to Addis, and then to Tel Aviv. For a child in her condition, all of the travel was very risky. But the alternative - to stay in South Sudan and wait for weeks to be sent to Israel with a group - was more dangerous.

I am hopeful and happy. I found out that Gladis was sick two years ago. Since then I have been living in fear, not knowing how I can save my little girl. I am grateful for Save a Child’s Heart and I pray that Gladis will be saved and grow up healthy and happy.

- Gladis' mother

Diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is estimated to affect 1 in 3,000 live births worldwide. It is a rare condition caused by a combination of four congenital heart defects that affect the structure of the heart, causing oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart through the rest of the body.

Without treatment, Gladis' body was not getting the oxygen that she needed to survive.

On the Road to a Healthy Heart

Gladis successfully underwent life-saving open heart surgery and is now healthy and feeling great!

Together, we can help save Gladis and children like her, wherever they are.