Noelanie, affectionately known as “Lilly,” came from Haiti for heart surgery at St. Francis Hospital. Under the care of Dr. Sean Luvchuck, her procedure on February 7, 2024, was a success. Lilly’s story is a testament to how the Gift of Life program brings hope and healing to children from all corners of the world.
On January 3, 2024, Shania Richardson from Guyana underwent life-saving cardiac surgery at St. Francis Hospital. Under the skilled care of Dr. Sean Luvchuck, Shania’s heart condition was successfully treated, giving her a renewed chance to live a healthy life.
Jennifer “Jenny” Cal from Belize arrived at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center on September 22, 2023. Her heart surgery, performed on October 12, 2023, by Dr. Konstantin Averin, was successful. Like Natasha, Jenny experienced Halloween for the first time, dressing up and trick-or-treating with Cindy Messineo, Dylan Hawxhurst, and Paige Kapoosuzian, marking a joyful moment during her recovery.
Natasha Castello came from Guyana for her heart procedure at St. Francis Hospital on November 1, 2023, with Dr. Sean Luvchuck. During her stay, she bonded with fellow patient Jennifer Cal, and the two experienced Halloween for the first time. They dressed up and went trick-or-treating with volunteers Cindy Messineo, Dylan Hawxhurst, and Paige Kapoosuzian, creating beautiful memories.
Pictured are Symphany Arnold, a recent recipient of life-saving heart surgery, and Amy Aiosa, a board member of the Gift of Life, Inc.
Pictured are Naza Hajiyeva, a recent recipient of life-saving heart surgery, and Dylan Hawxhurst, a dedicated volunteer. Naza received heart surgery through the Gift of Life, Inc. when she was nine months old, and due to a leak in her aortic valve, she came back to the United States in 2023 for open heart surgery.
Pictured are Abegaelle Joseph, a recent recipient of life-saving heart surgery, and Dr. Sean Levchuck, the Director of Pediatric Cardiology at St. Francis Hospital who completed the surgery on Abegaelle.
Pictured are Ratana Gashi, a recent recipient of life-saving heart surgery, and Dr. Sean Levchuck, the Director of Pediatric Cardiology at St. Francis Hospital who completed the surgery on Ratana.
Thalissa Briella Raymond from Haiti is a recent recipient of life saving heart surgery from Dr. Martin at Cohens Children’s Medical Center.
Pictured is Polina Shchepaniak (right), a recent recipient of life saving heart surgery, and Dr. Sean Levchuck (left), the Director of Pediatric Cardiology at St. Francis Hospital who completed the surgery on Polina.
With all that has been going on in Ukraine, the Gift of Life, Inc., the Gift of Life Long Island, and the Gift of Life International collaborated to bring Polina (nine years old) and her mother Kateryna to New York to perform life saving heart surgery.