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Thank you for saving four patients’ lives this Christmas!

Dear FNAME,

What a wonderful way to celebrate this Christmas! I’m elated to share that four Timorese patients have just received life-saving heart surgery in Australia and returned safely home.

Two patients - Ricardo and Julio, had open heart surgery at St John of God Geelong in late November. Two female patients - Leyla and Maria, had balloon valvuloplasty procedures at Eastern Heart Clinic in Sydney in early December. The patients recovered and returned to Timor-Leste on 14 December to their overjoyed families.

They can now look forward to a healthier and brighter future.

I’d like to give special thanks to Associate Professor Cheng-hon Yap, Dr Alan Appelbe, Dr Virag Kushwaha and Dr Simon Eggleton for making the surgeries possible. To our patient support team: Diana Marques, Maun Ricky, Mana Simoa, and volunteer Olga - thank you for caring for our patients. And of course to all our supporters - without you we could not have saved these patients.

Over the coming months I’ll keep you updated on how our patients are doing. For now, it’s a pleasure to introduce you to one of the patients - Ricardo, below.

We hope to give more patients the gift of life. If you can, please donate to our Christmas Appeal so we can save more patients.

Thank you kindly for your support.

Warmest regards,

Jane Papasergio
Chief Executive Officer

Ricardo’s heart is mended and full of hope

Photos:
Top - Dr Alan Appelbe gives Ricardo the all clear after surgery to travel home.
Bottom - Ricardo (second from right) with his family.

Ricardo is a thirty three year old father with three children. He has been living with rheumatic heart disease since he was 14 years old.

When Ricardo attended one of our cardiac screening clinics, cardiologists diagnosed him with critical aortic valve stenosis. The valve between his lower left heart chamber and main artery didn’t open fully, blocking proper blood flow to the rest of the body.

Having heart disease hit Ricardo hard. As a young boy and teenager, he loved being active and playing games like futsal. Then when Ricardo got married, he just wanted to be able to provide for his family. But his heart disease prevented him from doing many things.

Ricardo said, “It really affected by dreams because whatever activities I did would be limited.”

Ricardo had been on our patient list, waiting for surgery for a few years due to COVID travel restrictions. But in late November this year, his wish came true. Thanks to East Timor Hearts Fund supporters, Ricardo travelled to Australia for open heart surgery. Associate Professor Cheng-hon Yap performed Ricardo’s surgery at St John of God Hospital Geelong.

Once discharged, Ricardo stayed in Geelong where he was cared for by Cardiologist Dr Alan Appelbe and ETHF’s Cardiac Program Coordinator - Maun Ricky Flavio. The team was encouraged to see Ricardo regain his healthy appetite and strength before returning to Dili.

Ricardo is excited about 2023 and what the future holds for him and his family.

He said, “The main thing I would like to do as a father is looking after my wife and three children. I want to participate in any programs that can improve our standard of living.”

“Thank you to all the donors and doctors. Your support, kindness and sincerity in helping people like me couldn’t be expressed in words.”

Please give to our Christmas Appeal to save people suffering from heart disease

One in 28 people in Timor-Leste are affected by rheumatic heart disease. They struggle daily, living with constant pain, exhaustion and fear. They can lose their appetite, energy and hope.

The good news is rheumatic heart disease can be prevented and treated.

East Timor Hearts Fund has been working on the ground with local partners to diagnose people with rheumatic heart disease and congenital heart defects. We support early intervention such as delivery of a penicillin program, diagnosis, and surgery for the most critical cases.

Please help us to save more lives this Christmas and ensure that Timorese people will have access to essential heart health services.

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.