Suffering from a Heart Defect: Aaron's Fight for Life at 4 Months

Title: Suffering from a Heart Defect: Aaron's Fight for Life at 4 Months

Content: His family is appealing for solidarity to raise Rs 930,000Aaron is just four months old. His heart beats too fast and too hard, not allowing him to gain weight. Without open-heart surgery in India, his life is in jeopardy. His family needs Rs 930,000.Little Ezekiel Aaron Cleo was born on November 8, 2025, at Victoria Hospital in Candos. From the very first hours of his life, the diagnosis was clear: Down syndrome and congenital heart defect. For his mother, Marie Deborah Celidor-Fils, 35, a resident of Camp Levieux in Rose-Hill, the world crumbled with just a few words. "I had barely finished giving birth when I learned my baby had a health issue. I was crying... I was told: 'Madam, your baby has Down syndrome.' That day, my world fell apart, especially when I learned he also had a heart problem."Aaron suffers from an Atrioventricular Canal Defect, an abnormal connection between the heart's chambers, often associated with Down syndrome. The consequence is dire: his heart is constantly overworked, burning calories faster than he can intake them. The infant struggles to gain weight, which is crucial for considering surgery."Even when he drinks milk, his calories are burned quickly because his heart is working too hard," explains his mother. A private doctor consulted by the family was blunt: Aaron will not gain weight until his heart is repaired. Waiting is not an option. It's a vicious cycle that only surgery can break.Marie Deborah, a housewife and mother of three, with her eldest being 19 and her middle child 16, has explored multiple avenues. Victoria Hospital, Northern Hospital. Everywhere, the same dead end. "I went to Northern Hospital, then to Candos, but I found no solution," she sighs.It was then that she turned to the OMCA (Overseas Medical Care Assistance) Foundation to explore treatment abroad. The response was swift. "The next day, they asked me to take him immediately," she recalls. After an evaluation, the plan was set: Aaron must have surgery in India at BLK Max Hospital in New Delhi, under the supervision of Dr. Gaurav Garg, a cardiac surgery specialist.The procedure involves repairing the atrioventricular canal, correcting the abnormal connection between the heart chambers. The medical stay is estimated to last about four weeks, including pre-operative evaluation, the surgery itself, and the recovery period under medical supervision.The total cost of this operation is estimated at Rs 930,800, an amount beyond this family's reach. "These past four months have been incredibly tough for us. We feel demoralized and discouraged, but we hold onto hope in our Creator," shares Marie Deborah.She makes an appeal for solidarity: "I just want to save my baby's life. I am asking for help from everyone."Medical ExpensesMedical Evaluation: Rs 36,800Surgery: Rs 506,000Accommodation, transport, and meals in India: Rs 93,000Airplane tickets: approximately Rs 90,000Patient ticket: Rs 30,000Air medical escort: Rs 125,000Unexpected costs: Rs 50,000How to Help AaronDonations can be directly deposited into the following account:Bank: Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB)Account Number: 000450 149935IBAN: MU62MCBL0944000450149935000MURReference: Aaron