a not-so-perfect little heart needs your prayers

My nephew Lucas was born on Nov. 6th with a rare congenital heart defect called Truncus Arteriosis.

Truncus Arteriosis

Normally there are two main blood vessels leaving the heart: the aorta carrying blood to the body and the pulmonary artery that branches immediately to carry blood to each lung.

Instead of having a separate pulmonary artery and aorta, each with their own three-leafed valves, a baby with truncus arteriosus has only one great blood vessel or trunk leaving the heart, which then branches into blood vessels that go to the lungs and the body.

This great vessel usually has one large valve which may have between two and five leaflets. Usually this great vessel sits over both the left and right ventricle. The upper portion of the wall between these two chambers is missing resulting in what is known as a ventricular septal defect (VSD). In rare cases, the ventricular septal defect is absent.

The pediatric cardiologists who are looking after him have recommended 2 surgeries to correct his heart: one when he is 6 months old, and an open-heart procedure when he is 4 years old.

We currently need to raise at least P400,000 for his first operation, which will be in 4 months' time. If you have any information on how to apply for medical aid, or how to get in touch with other pediatric cardiologists abroad for a sponsorship of some sort, or any info for that matter... it will be greatly appreciated.

More importantly, please keep Lucas in your prayers because every little helps. =)