Winslove: Healing a Broken Heart

September 25, 2020

Hole in Her Heart

Winslove is a 13-year-old girl who lives in Haiti. She was born with Atrial Septal Defect. This condition occurs when there is a hole in the septum (wall) between the left and right chambers of the heart. If left untreated, it can be fatal. 

Unfortunately, the doctors in her home country could not repair the hole in Winslove's heart. Winslove’s best chance at survival was going to the United States for treatment, but she had no way to get there. She had to wait for years to receive the surgery, and her condition only got worse over time. 

From the Shadows of Illness...

The specialists who could perform the operation were located at Children’s Hospital New Orleans in Louisiana. However, the hospital was more than 1,350 miles away from her home. Her mother, Marie, could not afford the cost of travel. 



If the surgery didn’t happen soon, Winslove could die within a short time. 


...To the Light of Healing

That was when Mercy Medical Angels came to the rescue. Through a partnership with American Airlines’ charitable arm, Miles for Our Well-Being, Winslove was able to fly to the US with her mother, Marie. They traveled from their home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to New Orleans, Louisiana. 


Once at the hospital, Winslove was able to receive the heart surgery. The surgery was a success. After that, Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines flew Winslove and Marie back home. 



"Everyone Was Friendly and Helpful"

“Winslove is already feeling much better,” said Marie. “The transportation assistance from Mercy Medical Angels and American Airlines increased Winslove’s quality of life.” Marie also said that their flight was great. “From the ticket agents to the flight crew, everyone with American Airlines and Mercy Medical Angels was friendly and helpful.” 


When Marie is asked how Mercy Medical Angels changed Winslove’s life, her answer comes straight from the heart: “Winslove would not have been able to receive the care she needed if Mercy Medical Angels wasn’t there for us. Thank you for helping my daughter get her life-saving heart surgery!” 

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