Mending Kids

A milestone years in the making. 🫀

For the first time, Mending Kids supported a pediatric interventional cardiology trip to Nicaragua led by the Central American cardiologists who have helped build this program over the years, without their longtime mentor, Dr. Michael Womack, at the table. 🇳🇮♥️

Physicians from Panama and Costa Rica came together to support their Nicaraguan colleagues, safely treat children, and provide the mentorship and safety net needed by the next generation of cardiologists. 🇵🇦🇨🇷🏥🩺

Dr. Womack will return this fall to continue expanding the complexity of cases that can be treated locally and strengthen echocardiography training. But this milestone showed that, between those larger teaching trips, the region is ready to support one another, creating more opportunities to care for children and bringing us one step closer to a truly sustainable program. 💜🦋

The next chapter begins! ✈️

This week, our team travels to Ghana to strengthen partnerships that will help expand access to pediatric heart care. 🇬🇭

Every new collaboration brings us one step closer to a future where children can receive lifesaving treatment closer to home. 🌍💜

We’ll be sharing the journey with you along the way. Stay tuned! 🦋

Starting the week with a visit to Keyla, one of our 2023 patients. Her journey reminds us that congenital heart disease doesn’t always end when a mission does. Some children require ongoing monitoring, follow up, and a community committed to walking alongside them every step of the way. 🫀🩺🥼

Keyla’s story is one of the reasons we are here this week. Because of her, many more children will have the opportunity to receive the care they need and the chance for a brighter future. 💜🦋

This week, we’re here to support more children and families, and we can’t wait to share the journey with you. 🇸🇻

Dorothy LuceyAbbottBear Givers