KUALA LUMPUR: Single mother Sharon Cyril George is appealing for aid to allow her 6-month-old baby girl to undergo Blalock-Taussig (BT) Shunt surgery which is estimated will cost RM50,000.
Baby Angel Veronica Issac from Sabah was born with four heart defects — Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV), Transposition of Great Arteries (TGA), Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) and Pulmonary Atresia.
Sharon, who is unemployed and staying with her grandmother, said her baby must undergo the BT Shunt surgery, otherwise Angel would need to depend on a life-support machine for her entire life.
The young mother said she had to undergo emergency caesarean when she was 33 weeks' pregnant when a scan revealed that the baby had a weak heart.
"When Angel was born, she did not cry at first. When she was put on oxygen support, only then she cried and started to breathe."
Gleneagles paediatric cardiologist Dr Chan Tee Ling said in his report Angel's health condition was critical and the surgery must be carried out as soon as possible.
The baby will need to undergo three surgeries, starting with the BT Shunt surgery.
When Angel turns 1, she can undergo the second surgery, provided that her weight is stable and for the third surgery, it can be done when she is 5 to 6 years old.
Those who wish to help can send cheques made payable to the Media Prima-NSTP Humanitarian Fund at Group Strategic Communications Department, Media Prima Bhd, Level 4, Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, with the patient's name written on the reverse side of the cheque.
The public may also deposit their donations to Maybank current account 5141 0532 3170 and indicate the patient's name on the Recipients Reference or Other Payment Details fields.
