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Volunteer- Bubbles
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Volunteer- Bubbles

Child with bubblesPeople often ask us at Cardiac Alliance what we like about our work. Our answers are many and varied- we love teaching and sharing our skills; working with children and helping to change their lives; working with families and sharing our hope for a better future and of course.. BUBBLES! Amongst the high ideals that we strive for and the high technology equipment we work with we use bubbles everyday.

Bubbles
They are a way to improve the lung function of the children we work with and keep them off the ventilator but they are also a way for our team to communicate with the children when we don’t speak their language. Fun, compassion and bubbles don’t need words but they can speak volumes. The children we look after need your expertise and time- Come volunteer with us- we have lots of work to do!

Nurse and child with BubblesBaby looking at bubbles

Patient Story – Valeria
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Patient Story – Valeria

Baby Valeria after surgeryThis is Valeria and she is a lucky baby! During the second week of the Novick Cardiac Alliance trip to Nizhny Dr Novick was asked to see this 14-month-old girl who they thought had congenital mitral regurgitation. This is a very bad diagnosis for such a young baby and would mean several surgeries throughout her lifetime, if she survived. After looking at the Echocardiagram Dr Novick was able to diagnose a very rare but curable condition called ALCAPA.

If Valeria had not had surgery this week she would have died very soon, however she was was lucky enough to be the first ever patient in the Nizhny Heart centre to receive this type of surgery and she did really well. This is a picture of her the day after her operation and she was looking at heading home for Christmas. Her parents are very happy- they had hoped that Valeria would get the first of her operations this Christmas and instead she has a completely healed heart. Merry Christmas and happy new year (and many more!) Valeria!!


 Valeria

 

Patient Story – Alena
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Patient Story – Alena


Baby Alena after surgery
Alena is a 10-month-old baby who has Downs Syndrome, she was born in Dzerzhinsk and until she was 1 month old her mother did not know she had a heart problem. In April of this year Alena had her first heart operation, which helped her to gain weight and prevent damage to her lungs.

Last week the Novick Cardiac Alliance, in collaboration with the team in Nizhny, planned and performed a more complicated, complete repair of Alena’s heart defect.She spent quite a few days in the ICU and had a few bumps in the road but after having a very amusing chat with Dr Novick and receiving dedicated ICU care she is fully recovered. She is a happy baby who has entertained the team in the hospital and now she is ready to go home with her parents and 12-year-old brother. Bye Bye Alena- have a wonderful life with your happy, healed heart.

Dr No and Baby Alena after surgery

Patient Story – Denis
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Patient Story – Denis



Sleeping Baby Denis in NizhnyThis is baby Denis, he was born in Sechenoro on October 23rd his mother thought he was healthy until he was 1 month old when he started having trouble feeding. On November 25th Denis’ mother Svetlana called the doctor and there began a rollercoaster ride for the family. Denis was transferred to Nizhny, about 200km from his home and then diagnosed with a complex heart disease, which is very difficult to operate on. Fortunately for Denis, the Novick Cardiac Alliance team arrived in Nizhny on December 6th and he was able to have surgery.
Nurse Karen and Baby DenisDenis was the 10th patient that had an operation on this trip and the team are still operating today. Denis did very well, his mother is very thankful and has already noticed he is feeding and breathing much better. Denis will need another operation to completely repair his heart but for now he is doing great and will be home in time for Christmas. He is pictured here with Karen Bowtell, one of the Novick Cardiac Alliance Clinical educators- apparently he is giving her his christmas list.

Public Health Centre India- Welcome Letter
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Public Health Centre India- Welcome Letter

Not all organizations start like a meteor when already travelling to a peak. I and my team have the pleasure of seeing this shooting meteor when Dr Novick’s prior organisation was itself gradually reaching the peak. Total dedication of Dr William Novick and his team is the motivating force for this letter. Welcome to greater heights.
Sreemathi Seshadrinathan
Senior Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon
Public Health Center, Chennai, India

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Once I was a patient – now I volunteer

IMG_0605For the past 19 years Dr. Novick and I have shared a unique bond. I was born in Kazakhstan and was diagnosed with congenital heart defect at age 2. When I met Dr. Novick, I was 11 years old, my health condition was very poor and my local doctors predicted that I had about six months left to live. On September 21, 1995 Dr. Novick and his team performed the long needed heart surgery. They literally saved my life!!!
While a nursing student, I reconnected with Dr. Novick. Imagine my joy when he invited me to join him on a medical mission trip to Russia!!! I tell you, life is full of surprises and miracles only if you are open for them. And now, I work as a Pediatric ICU nurse and frequently travel with Dr. Novick and his team. Nobody could’ve imagined that!


Dilya as a childAs a former patient, I can say for a fact, when all of you save a life through your support of Dr. Novick and his team, you are not only saving the life of an individual, but you are also saving someone’s child, parent, sister, and friend. You are saving dreams, you are saving futures, you are saving an array of possibilities that no one could anticipate. I truly believe that children whose lives are saved by Dr. Novick and the Novick Cardiac Alliance will never forget these gifts and sooner or later, they will release their own gifts into the world.
Once again, thank you for everything which you have done for me, Dr. Novick. I wish you and your organization to continue your amazing work and safe lives of those children in need. God Bless you!
Dilya Cleveland

Donor- Josie Chelberg
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Donor- Josie Chelberg

Mrs. Josie Chelberg is an elderly lady who lives in a small downstairs room in her daughter’s home. She depends on her monthly social security check and must count her pennies to make ends meet. She and Dr. Kathleen Fenton’s mother, Jodie, are members of a small prayer group. At a recent meeting Mrs. Fenton requested the group pray for a “special intention” related to her daughter’s work. The following week Mrs. Chelberg, still praying for the unknown special intention, arrived at the meeting and handed Mrs. Fenton an envelope, saying it was for Kathleen. Written inside the flap was a simple note: “The money is for the children.” Enclosed was a $20 bill. She did not know until several weeks later that she had just made the very first donation to the Novick Cardiac Alliance.

Honduras welcome Letter
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Honduras welcome Letter

  • By stacey
  • December 1, 2014
  • News

Helping Hands for Honduras (HHH) and the Honduran affiliate, Manos Ayudando a Honduras (MAH), welcome with “BRAZOS ABIERTOS” the William Novick Global Cardiac Alliance. It is an honor for HHH/MAH to accompany Dr. William M Novick, his dedicated staff and team of medical volunteers in their two-fold mission of helping children with congenital heart defects, and the continuing formation of a Honduran Cardiovascular team of medical professionals. The partnership formed with the Cardiac Alliance serves a large portion of Honduran children who would otherwise not have the opportunity for cardiac care.It is with great anticipation that the ALLIANCE will flourish and grow in support of Honduran children with heart problems.
Felicidades y muchas bendiciones!

Ron and Alba Roll
Directors and CEO
Fundacion Manos Ayudando a Honduras