Israeli Charity Saves the Life of 4000th Child from a Developing Country

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanusay, a 4-year-old boy from Gambia, is recovering from open heart surgery at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel. Sanusay was brought to Israel by the Save a Child's Heart Foundation (SACH), Israel's largest, international humanitarian organization. He is the 4000^th child from a developing country saved by SACH.

Sanusay and his family live in the small city of Brikama, Gambia. He was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect when he was three months old. The surgery he needed was not available in Gambia and his unemployed parents could not afford to pay for treatment elsewhere. His doctor asked the Save a Child's Heart Foundation for assistance, and the organization accepted Sanusay for treatment—at no cost. Brussels Airlines donated the travel costs.

He arrived in Israel on Sunday, May 15th, together with 12 other children from Gambia and from Tanzania. Sanusay came with his older sister and stayed very close to her during the many hours of his long journey from East Africa to Israel. The following morning Sanusay and the rest of the children were taken to the Wolfson Medical Center for initial examinations. He waited for his turn, walking hand in hand with a SACH team member who brought the group to the hospital, smiling to people around him and making sure his sister was not too far from him at all times. Suddenly, Sanusay passed out. In a few seconds the whole medical team rushed to the examination room and began to resuscitate him.

After an hour the medical team managed to stabilize Sanusay's condition and then took him to the Operating Theater immediately for an urgent heart surgery to save his life.

The surgery lasted four hours. Sanusay's sister sat in the waiting room, crying and hoping for the best. The surgery was successful. Sanusay's life was saved. Only three days after that dramatic day, he sat in bed and smiled. Now he is currently recovering at the SACH Children's Home in Holon, running around with other children from around the world, smiling and happy.

Founded in 1995, Save a Child's Heart saves the lives of children dying of heart disease in developing countries around the world, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, or financial situation — 50 countries to date. 49% of the children are from the Palestinian Authority, Iraq and Syria; 40% are from Africa; 7% are from Asia; and 4% are from Eastern Europe and the Americas.

Everyone on the SACH medical team volunteers his or her time. For the vast majority of patients, SACH covers all medical costs as well as room & board in the SACH Children's Home. SACH also offers a comprehensive training program within Israel for doctors and nurses from developing countries and leads surgical and teaching missions to partner countries. SACH is currently building the Middle East's first international pediatric cardiac care center in Holon. The organization has been recognized by the US Government, United Nations and European Union for its achievements.

Media Contact: 

Tamar Shapira

011 972 528669446

Video - http://youtu.be/MCyMQ30LGVA

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Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160608/377099

SOURCE Save a Child's Heart Foundation