Feb. 5 – In the poorest countries of Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, hundreds of thousands of children are waiting for a heart operation to save their lives. Each year about 1 million children are born who suffer from congenital heart diseases. In advanced countries they quickly undertake surgery and the problem is solved, but in those where there are no hospitals and medical personnel isn’t able to implement such complex interventions, a child’s hope lies within international solidarity. The Italian Foundation “Helping Children” has been active since 2005 in the campaign “Heart of children” that raises funds to save children with heart problems, through three different modes. For 2013, the goal is to get surgery for 310 children thanks to 10 missions of Italian medical volunteers in: Kazakhstan (with the team from Bergamo Hospitals), Cambodia (with the team from Niguarda Hospital, Milan), Uzbekistan (with a mixed team of Bergamo Hospitals and Niguarda), Eritrea (with the team from the Hospital G.
Pasquinucci Mass) and Kurdistan (with the team from Policlinico San Donato Milanese). In Cambodia and Cameroon the Foundation will support the operation costs for the families of the children. Finally, other children will come to Italy from Albania, Kosovo and Zimbabwe to undergo surgery here, because in their countries, on top of the lack of doctors, even the hospitals are inadequate. To save the lives of 310 children suffering from heart disease – says the Foundation – one needs €269,000. Everyone can help support the campaign “Heart of Children” with a text message or a phone call from landline to the number 45501: the value of the donation is 2 € or 5 € depending on the mode of choice and operator. The initiative is valid until Feb. 24.
The Foundation “Helping Children” was established in 2000 to give practical help to poor children, the sick and uneducated, or those who have suffered physical and psychological violence. The Foundation is a non-profit organization recognized by law and operates in Italy and in worldwide hospitality projects, health care, emergency education and child sponsorship.
