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You can help save young lives

Dear FNAME,

Recently, I shared with you some of the innovative ways Dr Paratz and our other medical volunteers are working with local healthcare partners in Timor-Leste to save young lives. Adapting to online clinics and providing further medical training and upskilling to our in-country health care partners provides an essential continuity of care to seriously ill young heart patients. I also asked if you would consider donating to this year’s tax appeal.

If this message has crossed paths with your donation, I thank you – your generosity is already ensuring we can save more lives. If you have yet to donate, please give by June 30 to ensure our neighbours in Timor-Leste can access the critical cardiac care they need.

At present, Timor-Leste is focussed on rebuilding after the devastating April floods, whilst continuing to try and effectively manage its response to COVID-19.

Tragically, these recent events are not the only crisis in Timor-Leste with:

• 1 in 28 people (1 in 20 girls) live with rheumatic heart disease; and

• No effective cardiac healthcare capability.

Sadly, for those patients who finally attend our clinics, 1 in 5 patients have heart disease so advanced; surgery is no longer an option to save their lives.

Our foundations were built upon providing urgent life-saving heart surgery to save gravely ill young heart patients. However, providing access to timely prevention and monitoring services, not only ‘buys time’ for young heart patients, it can also, reduce unnecessary pain and suffering.

While international surgeries are paused, it is critical that we provide a continuity of care, through our online services, prevention programs, healthcare training, and provision of essential equipment and supplies to our healthcare partners in-country.

The majority of patients in the community have treatable and preventable heart disease - if only they could access the same health services that are available in countries like Australia.

Please give from the heart by June 30 and help make accessible heart health care a reality in Timor-Leste.

Your compassionate response is greatly appreciated.

David Marlow

Chief Executive Officer

PS Please give from the heart and help save a young person’s life.

Thank you for your commitment to saving lives in Timor-Leste

If you would like to volunteer and get involved, follow us on social media and head to our website.
Want to organise your own event? Download a copy of our fundraising guide.