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Deborah Heart and Lung Center Gives Greek Child Second Chance at LifeDeborah Heart and Lung Center Gives Greek Child Second Chance at Life It happened in the blink of an eye; no sooner had Despina Theodorou mentioned that her infant son, Marios-Rafail Papamichail, had a heart defect, did the mother of the child he was playing with collect her boy and leave the park. While Marios-Rafail was too young to understand the hurt he should have felt, Despina carried the pain for him. Never did she see her son as being different, and never did she expect for others to see him that way either. In fact, had she never had the conversation, there was little to be seen in Marios-Rafail outward appearance that would give away his having a heart defect. Still, it is not always what is on the outside that matters most; while Marios-Rafail could run and play like other children his age, his heart was beating against time. “We were looking at a very small window,” said Lynn B. McGrath, MD, Chair, Department of Surgery, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, speaking about the need for Marios-Rafail to undergo lifesaving open-heart surgery. “While children can get along for some time with the conditions that Marios-Rafail was suffering from, there exists the inevitable threat of a sudden deterioration in health. At two years old, it was necessary for Marios-Rafail to have surgery as soon as possible.” Marios-Rafail suffered from a myriad of complex heart defects that, if left untreated, could prove life threatening. “From his birth, the doctors told me that Marios-Rafail needed surgery, but that they were not sure exactly what to do,” said Despina, who every three months, would travel from her home in Thessaloniki, Greece, to have her son evaluated by physicians in Athens. “They decided that we would wait for him to grow and see if the problems ceased.” As was feared, they did not, and the options that Despina was given were limited. Although she had insurance, it provided limited coverage for any procedure performed in Greece. Compounding the problem, the insurance that she did carry would not cover a trip to the United States. Not resigned to just letting her son suffer, Despina sought out the advice of Marios-Rafail doctors, who provided her with a name: Deborah Heart and Lung Center. While it was hardly a reason for rejoice, it was a place from which to begin. Despina took to the Internet, searching frantically for what information she could find on Deborah. Findings in hand, she returned to the doctors, who agreed to send Marios-Rafail medical information to Deborah to be reviewed. Within weeks, Despina received a letter, confirming that the information was received and that Marios-Rafail had been chosen as the latest beneficiary of Deborah Hospital Foundations Children of the World® Program. One of its most highly recognized and revered endeavors, Deborahs Children of the World Program brings up to 100 children each year to Deborah Heart and Lung Center for lifesaving open-heart surgery. Through the Program, thousands of children from the United States and around the world, including hundreds from Greece and Cyprus, benefit from the expertise of the Centers highly trained and dedicated staff. Completely underwritten by Deborah Hospital Foundation, which raises funds and awareness in support of the Center, the Program covers all costs associated with a childs medical and surgical care, and even provides meals and lodging to one parent on the Deborah campus. For some, however, the good news was difficult to believe; Despina found that many of her family and friends maintained an air of disbelief until they saw for themselves the invitation from Deborah. “All of these people say that they believe in miracles, and yet, when one presents itself, they say that they need proof,” said Despina. “What Deborah did for my child is a miracle; Dr. McGrath makes miracles.” Today, thanks to the helping nature of Deborah and the surgical expertise of Dr. McGrath and his team, Marios-Rafail is completely void of the congenital heart defects that threatened his life, and is expected to enjoy a happy and healthy existence. “I owe everything to Deborah,” exclaimed Despina. “From the first moment that I arrived, I told them that I didnt care what I had to sign; I came here to save my baby.” And save her baby she did. Despinas plight, however, does not end with Marios-Rafail health. Never does Despina want another mother to endure the pain that she felt that day in the park. Never does she want another family to worry in wonder about how they will get help for their child. By telling her story, Despina wants the people of Greece to know that, if their children need help, there is a hospital that will help them. And she hopes that, in time, the Greek government will begin to recognize the needs of these families, and do all in their power to help. Taking it one step further, Despina has expressed a deep interest in founding a Deborah volunteer fundraising chapter in Greece, the first in a country that has deep ties to Deborah. Deborah Hospital Foundation is the nonprofit organization which raises funds and awareness on behalf of Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Browns Mills, NJ, a 161-bed teaching hospital specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of heart, lung and vascular diseases in adults and congenital and acquired heart defects in adults and children. Deborah Hospital Foundation boasts nearly 50,000 volunteers organized into 200 community-based chapters, governed by four regional offices and its headquarters in Browns Mills, NJ. ###
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