10th February, 2015
A NEW HEART: Compassion Australia are looking to raise $20,500 so Bintang can have heart surgery. |
Looking to "share the love" this Valentine’s Day?
Child development and advocacy organisation Compassion Australia has launched an appeal aimed at raising $20,500 to provide heart-surgery for seven-year-old Indonesian girl Bintang.
Bintang, who has a congenital heart disease known as Tetralogy of Fallot, has struggled with health complications since birth and now requires the life-changing surgery.
But her family, who are based in north of Manado in North Sulawesi, can’t afford the operation and while Bintang – whose name means ‘star’ in Indonesian – has been sponsored for a couple of years by US-based supporters, the operation – which has been scheduled for later this month – will require separate funding.
"She has reached an age where that operation does need to be done," says Janine Daly, executive director at Compassion Australia.
Compassion say that should she not receive the surgery, Bintang will not grow and develop the same as other girls her age, she will be increasingly at risk of serious infections and the development of complications with can result in death or disability in early adulthood.
As of this morning, $5000 of the required $20,500 has been raised, leaving more than $15,000 still to be found.
Compassion have turned to their Australian supporters for help. Fund-raising suggestions include baking "heart-shaped treats" which can be "purchased" in exchange for a donation – an approach already being undertaken by Compassion staff.
If the amount raised equates to more than that required, any excess funds will be put toward other "critical interventions" among Compassion’s sponsored children which are currently seeking funding.
~ www.compassion.com.au/iheartvalentinesday
– DAVID ADAMS