A baby boy born with a severe heart defect underwent life-saving surgery, bringing joy and relief to his grateful parents, thanks to the collaborative efforts of medical specialists and non-profit organisations.
Johannesburg, South Africa (24 August 2024) – It is reported that one in every 100 children is born with a significant heart defect, a reality that casts a shadow of fear over many families. But when communities, specialists, and non-profit organisations join forces, these little heroes are given a fighting chance to rewrite their futures.
For the van der Heever family, the birth of their son, Dante, was a moment of pure joy, soon clouded by worry and fear. Born at the end of January this year, Dante’s early days were marked by an unsettling struggle.
“Soon after Dante was born, we noticed there was something wrong. He was very difficult to settle; he cried and cried, and he wasn’t gaining strength and weight as he should have,” his mother, Jennifer, recalls with emotion.
Dante’s journey quickly became a race against time. From their home in Makhado, the family sought help from various hospitals, only to learn that their precious boy was battling a severe heart defect.
“Dante barely slept; we knew that he struggled with his heart. He couldn’t even drink properly, and then he would be out of breath and sweating. We sat day and night awake with him in our arms. It was tough; even now, it is very emotional to think back on that time,” Jennifer shares.
The diagnosis was heartbreaking—Dante’s heart could stop at any moment. The family was told that he needed urgent surgery, but the earliest available date at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria was months away, in July. With Dante’s life hanging in the balance, his doctors and family desperately searched for a faster solution.
That’s when the Netcare Foundation and the Maboneng Foundation stepped in, offering a lifeline. These organisations, known for their dedication to supporting pediatric patients in need of life-saving surgeries, coordinated with top specialists to move Dante’s surgery date forward by three critical months.
“Dante’s condition was extremely serious, and we knew we had to find a way to help,” said Dr. Erich Schürmann, the cardiothoracic surgeon who led the medical team at the Maboneng Heart and Lung Institute at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital.
On April 4th, Dante underwent a specialised heart surgery performed by an extraordinary team of doctors who donated their time and expertise. The complex procedure, which addressed a narrowing in an artery known as coarctation of the aorta, was a success.
Dante’s parents, overwhelmed with relief, watched as their son made a rapid recovery.
Jennifer fondly remembers the moment their lives took a turn for the better: “When we got the call from the doctor, my husband answered the phone, and they told us that the Foundations had arranged for Dante to be helped at one of the country’s leading cardiovascular centres, in a private hospital. We were so happy that both of us jumped on our phones to share the wonderful news with our parents and friends back home in Makhado. It felt like a dream come true.”
Three days after the surgery, Dante was discharged, and the family was provided accommodation at the hospital’s lodge to support his recovery.
Dante’s father, Stefan, expressed their immense gratitude: “I want to say a huge thank you to the Netcare and Maboneng Foundations and all of the amazing people who helped us so much. As parents and with what we’ve been through, we’re focusing on the fact that he is healthy and here today.”
Today, Dante is thriving. He’s an active, smiling six-month-old who loves to be the centre of attention. He’s gained weight, is more energetic and most importantly, he has a future filled with promise.
“Dante is just a blessing. He is a wonderful, beautiful, and healthy baby,” Jennifer says with a smile. “The staff at the hospital, the nurses, and the doctors were professional, compassionate and went out of their way to assist us. It was an emotional time for our family, and it meant so much to us that they welcomed us with open arms.”
This heartwarming story shows the power of collective action, where the medical team’s dedication and the support from Netcare and Maboneng Foundations have given Dante a bright future and made his parents’ dream of a healthy, happy son a reality.
For more information about the Maboneng Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.mabonengfoundation.co.za.
Sources: Netcare
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