Day Three of Healing Hearts and Changing Lives in Romania
Thank you to all of our wonderful partners who made this visit to Grigore Alexandrescu Emergency Children’s Hospital in Romania possible: Rotarian Larry Cohen, Gift of Life New Jersey, Gift of Life Metro New York, Gift of Life Central New York, Gift of Life Rotary District 7490, Rotary District 2241, Rotary District 6960, Rotary Club of Pipera, Gift of Life Florida, Rotary Club of Albemarle, and Rotary Club of Boca Raton.
It is our third day here in Romania which means we are halfway through the week! The morning started off with our night shift nurses Laura Snyder and Amy Ovitt giving a report to the arriving day shift. Laura and Amy have been working the night shift all week!
Laura Snyder giving sign out.
Nurse Amy helps comfort a child.
Today we had two more surgeries and no catheterizations, due to unforeseen illnesses and circumstances.
Luca: Stronger Heart, Brighter Future
The two cases today were done on Alexia and Luca.
Luca was the first surgery completed! He was diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus (or PDA) and a coarctation. A coarctation is a narrowing of the aorta (an artery that comes out of the heart and supplies blood to the rest of the body). The doctors thought that the coarctation would need to be operated on.
Nurses receive Luca in the ICU.
Nurse Jordyn Cameron shushes Luca fresh out of surgery.
The severity of the coarctation could not be accurately determined until the PDA was closed. Once the PDA was closed, medical professionals could clearly see how the coarctation was affecting heart function and blood flow. Luca had his PDA closed in the OR, did not need a coarctation operation, and was brought to the ICU around twelve o’clock today!
After Luca came to the ICU, the nurses worked hard to get him calmed down. One thing that really helped Luca feel comfortable was being held!
Nurse Margaret Gosland holds Luca.
Dr. Gabe Owens even got caught in an interview while holding Luca. Luca was asleep the entire time!
Dr. Gabe Owens holding Luca while getting interviewed.
Alexia: Hope in Every Beat
Alexia napping before her surgery today.
The other child that got operated on today is Alexia! She’s one year old and was diagnosed with a large atrial septal disorder. She received surgery to patch the hole in her heart!
Alexia resting up after her surgery with a Gift of Life International teddy bear.
The Gift of Partnership
On this visit to Romania we have been lucky to be joined by some of our wonderful partner Rotarians from Gift of Life Rotary District 7490 in New Jersey: Giacomo DeStefano, Yolanda DeStefano, and Sophie Stone.
Yolanda DeStefano (left), Giacomo DeStefano (center), and Sophie Stone (right).
Yolanda DeStefano works as an English as a Second Language (ESOL/ESL) teacher, which provides English lessons for non-native speakers or multilingual learners! Yolanda has been a committee member of Gift of Life district 7490 since 2012. Giacomo, Yolanda’s husband, has been the Director of the Paterson Museum in New Jersey since 1989! He is the Chair of the Gift of Life District 7490. Sophie Stone is a member of the Paramus Sunrise Rotary Club and a committee member of Gift of Life 7490. Sophie also acts as Outreach Project Chair for Trinity International Mission, a ministry of Trinity Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She is currently a full-time volunteer!
Giacomo and Yolanda met our CEO Rob Raylman in Cebu, Philippines in 2014. Giacomo, Yolanda, and Sophie have been to many countries volunteering, including: Kosovo, Bolivia, Philippines, Vietnam, Ghana, Myanmar, and Romania!
Gift of Life District 7490 not only does their own medical missions, but funds and participates in multiple medical visits with Gift of Life International every year, and also brings a child to the United States four to six times a year to receive treatment in the country! All of the child’s expenses are covered when they are brought to the States, like food, shelter, medical treatment, transportation, and anything else they need to be comfortable. Sometimes they also get to go on a special trip to New York City, also paid for! Sophie’s church also contributes to all of these causes, as well!
Throughout the week all three of these amazing individuals have been a terrific contribution to our team. They interview families and the children, getting each patient’s unique stories. Giacomo takes professional photos of the visit. They also all bring such a light to the hospital! They are each so friendly, easy to talk to, and caring people all around. We are lucky to have them on this visit with us and are proud of the great work they do, and the impact they will continue to have for years to come!
The Heartbeat of Healing Goes On
The cases from yesterday continue to do well in the ICU!
Evelina with Nurse Amy Ovitt this morning.
Evelina continues to show her personality as she heals more and more! She is a sweet, bubbly little girl who loves to be rocked and held.
Eric resting in his bed with a Gift of Life International blanket and teddy bear.
Eric continues to be his sweet self as well, getting lots of rest and bottles to make his recovery process quicker!
The Week Winds Down
We have two more days in Romania! Tomorrow we were originally supposed to only have one surgery, but a child came in for a sports physical yesterday and learned he has a heart defect. He was quickly referred to Gift of Life International as his doctor heard we were in town, and now he has been put on the schedule for surgery tomorrow! He will be back to playing soccer in no time.
As our third day in Romania draws to a close, we’re filled with immense gratitude for the continued journey of healing unfolding before us. Witnessing Luca’s successful PDA closure and Alexia’s heart being healed reminds us of the profound impact each surgery has on these young lives.
The unwavering dedication of our medical team, alongside the invaluable support and warm presence of our Rotarian partners Giacomo, Yolanda, and Sophie, creates a truly special atmosphere of care and compassion. Their tireless efforts in capturing these precious stories and bringing comfort to the families amplify the spirit of our mission.
With the successful recoveries of Evelina and Eric progressing beautifully and the addition of a new little heart to our surgical schedule for tomorrow, the heartbeat of healing in Romania continues strong, promising even more life-changing moments in the days to come.
Stay tuned the rest of the week to hear all about our new patient’s story, learn about some of our long-standing Gift of Life International volunteers, and meet one of our Italian surgeons!
