by Mike Schnitzel
Abby was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and an atrial septal defect, which is sometimes known as a "hole" in the heart, according to the American Heart Association, when she was 4-months-old.
Abby, who is from Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, needed open-heart surgery to treat her ailment, but the required facilities were not available back home. That's where the "Gift of Life" program, the Valley Stream Rotary, and the Interact Club stepped in to help. Abby's surgery was performed at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, July 6, to repair the hole.
According to Bob Thornton, an administrative assistant at North and immediate past president of the Rotary, "Gift of Life" is a non-profit, international program that assists with the provision of cardiac care to those who need it most.
"When a patient, usually a child, cannot get a procedure done in their own country, they come [to the United States] to get it done," said Bruce Beaver, rotarian and former past-president of the Valley Stream Rotary Club.
The Gift of Life was started by the Manhasset Rotary Club about 28 years ago. It is made up of doctors, businesspeople and entrepreneurs who donate their time, skill and money to helping children with heart problems, who would otherwise not be able to afford the surgeries necessary to save their lives. It receives 50,000 requests from children in need from around the world. The organization is able to help approximately 150 children a year, by raising money to bring the children and their families to one of 100 participating hospital in the United States, providing free medical attention and post operative care, which could otherwise cost as much as $250,000.
"In order to sponsor a child through the program, you have to raise $5,000," said Thornton. The Interact Club raised the money through bake sales, a walk-a-thon, and a bowl-a-thon. "Various friends and family helped us raise money for the kids," said Kelli O'Donoghue, who along with Julie Miller, is an adviser to the high school club. The Rotary Club then equaled Interact's $5,000 and were matched up with Abby.
The Interact Club held a small going-away party for Abby in the library of North on July 25. "The kids had spent so much time raising money, we wanted them to meet her," said O'Donoghue. Mayor Edward Cahill presented Abby's mother with a flag pin bearing the words "Village of Valley Stream" on the front. "I wanted to give [Abby] something to remember us by," said Cahill. "I also wanted to acknowledge the good work that the Rotary and Interact do."
Abby's mother, Anna, was very happy to have a healthy daughter to bring home. "Of course I'm very happy," she said.
Members of the Interact Club were satisfied to know that their actions were able to make a difference. "Individually, it's hard to take action, but as a group, you can do a lot more," said Lisa Lopez. According to Interact member Andrew Fanelli, this is the third child the club has helped since the program started at North. "It's amazing to be able to change a person's life through fund-raising," said Kim Bencivenga.
Abby is currently waiting for clearance from doctors before she can return home to Mindanao. "They have to make sure that she can receive proper care for her pacemaker before they'll let her go home," said Thornton.
