Babies with Congenital Heart Defect is commonly called "blue baby". This is because when the baby cries, the baby turns blue (because of the lack of oxygen in the blood). No, Congenital Heart Defect is not new. It is not caused by modernization and chemicals in our food. Until now, there is no study that could pinpoint exactly what causes it. The condition existed even in olden times. It was just not being talked about. There was also no way of healing it.

When I knew Nate had CHD, I spent most of my days crying until I got depressed. Nate's doctor, Dr. Rudy Amatong, consoled me and said that the good thing about this condition is that it can be fixed. "Fixed?!" was my initial reaction. Yes, fixed. It can't be cured by anti-biotics or other medicines but the heart can be repaired. This kept me thinking... I am glad Nate was born in this century. Today we have technology, devices, science, and capable doctors who are able to study the heart very well and find ways to repair CHD. In fact, Unifocalization, the surgery recommended for Nate, was developed by Dr. Frank Hanley during the early 1990s. I was so shockingly amazed. That is not too long ago! If Nate was born earlier then he'd truly not have a chance to live. 

Although heart surgery on children is relatively new, it has pretty good number of successes too. One of those wonderful successes is too close from home and this is the story of Maven Amora. Maven was born on October 12, 2011 to my friends who I've worked with as Red Cross Youth volunteer, Dominic and Hannah Amora. He was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot and was also advised to have open heart surgery before he reaches one. Hannah and I have not communicated for so long since our RCY years. Maven is the glue that bound us back together. My husband met Hannah at her cousin's wedding and heard of Nate's story. They shared Maven's condition and we decided to talk even more in several days after. Well, actually, Mc did all the meet-ups with Dom and Hannah. Nate's passing was too fresh for me to even talk about it at that time. I was, however, very well-informed as Mc shares their per-verbatim conversations. Dom, Hannah, and their family started Maven's Heart Fund Drive. Basing on their Facebook page alone, they were able to raise the needed fund in 4-month time. Truly heart-warming! The world is full of good people. On July 25, Maven undergone his open heart surgery at St. Luke's Hospital in Manila under the care of Dr. Karl Reyes, Dr. Charles Cuaso, and Dr. Herbet Uy. They were exactly the same doctors as Nate. Maven was 9 months old. He had his surgery just in time before his 1 year birthday. After 9 days, Maven was already out of the hospital, smiling, and was on his way back to Cebu. I was very happy. My heart was literally jumping for joy that tears fell down my cheeks. I felt it was my victory too. Of all the meetings with Domz and Hannah that I've missed, I made it a point not to miss Maven's thanksgiving dinner. I hugged Hannah really tight. Until now, I feel I have a special bond with her. At some point of those months, I felt like I was a mom to Maven too.

Now, the Amora couple is one of the core members of Let It Echo group. It was actually Hannah's idea to consolidate everyone and create one group. My plan of registering Get Better Nate as a foundation was scrapped out. The consolidation is so much better. Because we are individually helping other kids, we might as well consolidate. The huge gain that we got was that we are each other's strong foundation. Let It Echo is a non-profit organization consisting of heart parents and individuals who have gone through the ordeal of having children with congenital heart defect/s. We are warriors, survivors, and storytellers who provide hope and support to ailing CHD-stricken Filipino families through empowerment, education, and counsel.

You see, not all stories of kids with Congenital Heart Defects are gory. We have a lot of beautiful success stories too. The best news is that, Congenital Heart Defects can be repaired. If you are a parent of a CHD child, don't stay in hiding. Get your needed success story too. 

To learn more about CHD, go ahead and click on the CHD Awareness Week banner found at the upper right side of this page.

Learn how to help by visiting the Let It Echo Facebook page.