Since 2010, we have had the privilege of working with hundreds of patients. Each has a unique and special story.

Here we share some of the stories that have left the strongest mark on us in the hope that we can continue to improve the stories of many more patients in the future.

Maria’s Story

Early in 2020, as the world was rapidly coming to grips with the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19, Maria left her country to have life-saving heart surgery. Without it, her prospects were bleak. Racing against the clock before national borders closed, our incredible team of cardiac surgeons and healthcare volunteers, along with the generous support of our hospital partners, successfully operated on Maria. Her surgery would not have been possible without our generous supporters.

Maria shares her journey to a healthier future.

Music credit: Ahjay Stelino

Nelsia’s story

At just four years old, Nelsia is one of Timor-Leste Hearts Fund’s youngest patients. During the 2018 Operation GoodHearts paediatric surgery mission, 10 young patients, including Nelsia, had their heart defects repaired.

Before the surgery, Nelsia was always tired and breathless. Now she can play with her friends and her younger sister and brothers. Her parents are excited for Nelsia’s future and hopeful she will enjoy good health and go to school.

Just six months after her surgery, Nelsia and her dad Nelson travelled to Australia, thanks to generous sponsors, to raise funds and awareness at the Run Melbourne fun run.

Nelsia breezed through the five kilometre walk and was excited to collect her medal at the end. “We encourage people to support Timor-Leste Hearts Fund because they help many people with heart disease in our country Timor-Leste,” Nelson said.

Teresinha’s story

Paediatric nurse Teresinha was born with a heart defect that would have been fixed in infancy in a developed country.

Although Teresinha works at one of Timor-Leste’s top public hospitals, the young nation does not yet have the specialist skills or equipment for the complex procedure she required.

Teresinha had previously suffered clinical heart failure; without treatment her prospects were grim.

In 2016 Teresinha came to Australia for a technically complex procedure at Royal Melbourne Hospital to repair her patent ductus arteriosus (an abnormal connection between the large vessels in the chest near the heart). Surgeons used a high-tech self-expanding cardiac plug made of Nitinol, an alloy of titanium and nickel.

Teresinha is now be able to see her infant son grow up, and has returned to work at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares in Dili.

“Timor-Leste Hearts Fund is such an amazing organisation. There aren’t enough words to say thank you,” Teresinha said.

Francisco’s story

Thirty-eight-year-old Francisco works as a journalist and presenter for Radio Timor Kmanek (Catholic Church Radio). Each day he rode to work on his motorbike. However, he had to stop working due to his heart condition which caused him to feel constantly tired and dizzy. Timorese cardiologists assessed Francisco and found he had critical aorta stenosis, a condition where is aortic valve narrowed so much it severely restricted blood flow from his heart to the rest of his body. This is a dangerous condition. Without a valve replacement he would only have a year or two to live.

The cardiologists recommended that Francisco stop riding his motorbike because they feared the risk of an accident if he became dizzy and collapsed. Unable to work and earn money for his family, Francisco became stressed and felt trapped by his disease. He just wanted to get his life back.

Thanks to Timor-Leste Hearts Fund’s donors and volunteer cardiologists, Francisco was flown to Australia in early may 2024 to have life-saving heart surgery at St John of God Geelong Hospital. After successful surgery, Francisco spent time recovering in Geelong before returning to his family in Timor-Leste.

Artimisa’s story

Artimisa had a condition where blood flow across her heart valve was obstructed. This caused her heart palpitations, and she often felt tired and short of breath.

Thanks to our supporters, Artimisa travelled to Sydney in May 2022 to receive life-saving heart surgery at Eastern Heart Clinic. Our volunteer cardiologist Dr Virag Kushwaha performed her procedure.

Now Artimisa is happy she no longer feels the tiredness and heart pain. She said, “Before, I could walk for even 500 meters. I don’t feel any more chest palpitation and sore breath now. I can walk as far as I want!”

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