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We Help Johann Get a Healthy Heart!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: December 8, 2022

Dear Patients and Friends,

Thanks to your support of the HeartValveSurgery.com community, I am happy to share that we just sponsored the life-saving heart surgery of Johann, a courageous 7-year-old boy from the city of Cebu in the Philippines.

Johan - Heart Surgery Patient Sponsorship Johann (Heart Surgery Patient)

Johann was born with a hole in his heart, also known as a ventricular septal defect (VSD). Johann’s parents, who have eight children, were struggling to support their family’s basic needs. So, Johann’s parents made the difficult decision to renounce their parental rights and allow his aunt to adopt him.

Gift of Life & Dr. Peralta Join Forces for Johann

Our long-time partner for this type of work is Gift of Life International. Since 1975, Gift of Life has helped over 44,000 children get life-saving heart surgeries in more than 80 countries around the world. To fix Johann’s heart, Gift of Life contacted Dr. Francisco Peralta at National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City. Within the Manila region of the Philippines, Dr. Peralta performs about 90% of the pediatric VSD surgeries.

Dr. Francisco Peralta Dr. Francisco Peralta with Johann

Johann’s operation took place on October 24, 2022. Prior to discharge, this video with Johann was posted on Dr. Peralta’s Facebook Page. Johann states, “Great job fixing my heart! Thank you!”

Many Thanks to You, Dr. Peralta and Gift of Life!

Thanks to your support of the HeartValveSurgery.com community, Johann is ready to continue life with a healthy heart!

I would also like to thank Dr. Peralta, National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City, and Gift of Life. In particular, I must thank Rob Raylman, the CEO of Gift of Life, who passionately travels the world helping children with heart disease.

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.