Kenia Rivas: Operada el 23 de julio de 2012. Edad 19 años
Fui operada el 23 de Julio del 2012 en el hospital de niños Benjamín Bloom.
Mi experiencia después de mi operación ha sido maravillosa, poder tener una vida normal
como cualquier persona, poder correr, hacer ejercicio o incluso hablar y reírte sin
cansarse me hace muy feliz. Yo creo que todo tiene un propósito y también creo que los
planes de Dios para mi vida son perfectos y no tengo ninguna duda que mi operación
muestra su poder sobre mí, y sobre muchos otros niños. En estos momentos estoy en el
colegio, preparándome y estudiando para ser enfermera. Porque haber pasado parte de
mi niñez en hospitales, tocó mi corazón para poder decidir que quiero ayudar a otros en
un área muy importante de nuestras vidas, la salud. Estoy muy agradecida con Dios y la
Fundación por darme una segunda oportunidad de vida. Gracias.
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I underwent surgery on July 23, 2012, at the Benjamin Bloom Children’s Hospital. My experience after my operation has been wonderful, being able to have a normal life like anyone, being able to run, exercise, or even talk and laugh without getting tired makes me very happy. I believe that everything has a purpose and I also believe that God’s plans for my life are perfect and I have no doubt that my operation shows his power over me, and over many other children. At the moment I am in school, preparing myself and studying to be a nurse. Because having spent part of my childhood in hospitals, it touched my heart to decide that I want to help others in a very important area of our lives, health. I am very grateful to God and the Foundation for giving me a second chance at life. Thank you.
Brenda Small is the Operations Consultant at Gift of Life International. She assumed this role in 2012.
Brenda was inspired to help children in need with heart disease after her third child was born with a complex heart defect and underwent successful open-heart surgery in her first year of life. Brenda learned of Gift of Life International in 2006 at which time she established Gift of Life Los Angeles where she holds the position of President. Between 2008 and 2012, Brenda volunteered her time to help with Gift of Life International in addition to running Gift of Life Los Angeles.
From 2012 to 2022, Brenda held the position of Director of Operations for Gift of Life International. Today, she continues this lifesaving work as Operations Consultant. Brenda also implemented the Nutritional Program in El Salvador in 2008 which has now provided nutritional support to more than 250 children and their families. Brenda has traveled with many of the Gift of Life training teams and witnessed these precious lives being saved.
