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!” 

Share this story with others.

Share your thoughts about this story.

Read More Patient Stories

By Stephanie Singer July 27, 2025
She needed help flying to a clinical trial for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Find out how Mercy Medical Angels got her there... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer July 23, 2025
Read the story of how a single mother received gas cards to access life-changing surgery, helping her and her daughter to have a better life... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer July 22, 2025
He needed heart surgery, but the best doctors to help him were in another state. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels' volunteer pilot program helped him get there.
By Stephanie Singer July 21, 2025
Read the story of a patient with a rare blood cancer and how he was able to access treatment, thanks to charitable flights... in his own words.
By Stephanie Singer July 19, 2025
A female Veteran needed to get equine-assisted therapy at Quantum Leap Farm, but had no way to get there. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels and Southwest helped her.
By Stephanie Singer July 18, 2025
Find out how a single mother with multiple rare conditions found the best care possible, thanks to charitable flight assistance... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer July 17, 2025
She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and opted for holistic and alternative treatments. Find out how Mercy Medical Angels helped her receive the best possible care.
By Stephanie Singer July 10, 2025
A disabled Veteran attended a peer support program known as Warrior PATHH, thanks to charitable flight assistance... you can read his story here, in his own words.
By Stephanie Singer June 30, 2025
Read how a patient with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and other conditions accessed life-changing care out of state, thanks to charitable flights... in her own words.
By Stephanie Singer June 22, 2025
Read how a Stage IV cancer patient flew to the care she needed... in her own words.