Help 7-year Old Prashanthi Who Thinks That Her Heart Has An Expiry Date

Prashanti was just 6 months old when her parents found out that she was born with a congenital heart defect. Unfortunately for her, their family came from a low-income background. Treatment was nearly impossible. Still, they struggled and did all they can to get her a surgery to close the hole in her heart and a cheap pacemaker. Now, after 7 years, Prashanti's condition has deteriorated. She needs another surgery in 3 months to upgrade her pacemaker without which, her heart will indeed stop beating.

They had no clue that she was born with a weak heart

Vani and Swami are proud parents of two young girls from Kavadiguda, Telangana. Here, Swami has a small kirana store that provides the family a stable income of Rs. 6000/month after all deductions. While others think this family has been living comfortably, their story has been different.

"We did not know Prashanti was sick. She used to cry so much as a baby. We initially wrote it off as a normal baby behavior. When she was 6 months old, we went for a checkup at a local hospital. She was just 4 kilos. That's very less. She would not eat or sleep, just cry and turn blue. The doctor tested her heart and said she had a hole. Not just that, her heart was weak and needed a pacemaker."

She has 3 months to get another surgery

Vani and Swami could not afford an open-heart surgery but it was the only way to save their baby girl. When Prashanti turned 1.5 years old and was healthy enough for surgery, she went under the knife. Swami had to borrow Rs. 3 lakhs to get this done but in the end, he was happy to save his daughter. The family never thought they would be in the same situation again.

"The school teacher told us that Prashanthi is not able to exert herself. She gets stressed when she has to answer a question or even try to keep up with her peers in reciting a rhyme. She's been saying that her heart is giving up. Now, her condition is worse. Her lips, hands and feet turn blue, cries all the time, feels so weak that she does not even get off the bed. She does not eat, she does not even want to drink water. She's finding it difficult to breathe."

How you can help

Prashanthi asked her mother if her heart is expiring just like the products at their kirana store. 

Vani is broken. They went back to the hospital and heard that Prashanthi needs a new pacemaker. Yes, her pacemaker is expiring. She need not lose her life to it. With their existing debt, Vani and Swami are unable to afford this surgery. They need help to source Rs. 1.8 Lakhs to save Prashanthi's life for the second time. Prashanthi now has 3 months left on her current pacemaker.

Your contribution will save this little girl and give her hope.

Supporting Document

The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.

Click here to save Prashanthi