Team Effort in Jacksonville Provides Life-Saving Surgeries for Two Desperately Ill Boys from Uganda

Samaritan’s Purse Partners with Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Patrons of the Hearts, the University of Florida and Supportive Jacksonville Residents to Save Lives

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 28, 2008—Two little boys will soon fly thousands of miles home to Uganda - now healthy after receiving life-saving heart surgery last week in Jacksonville.  Three-year-old Joram and 8-year-old Arthur - both born with serious heart defects - were desperate for treatment not available in their home country.  That is when international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse and the Jacksonville community stepped in to provide the necessary connections in the United States for them to receive their surgeries.

"We feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to have children like Arthur and Joram stay in our home," said Whitney Gabet of Jacksonville, who is volunteering with Samaritan's Purse by hosting the Ugandan children during their stay.  "They came here for a second chance at life, but this has also been a life-changing experience for our family."

INTERVIEW AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:

• What:  Interview the doctors, project leaders, volunteers and recipients
• Where:   Wolfson Children's Hospital
• Who:
  • 8-year-old Arthur Kalyango of Uganda
  • 3-year-old Amos Joram Ikara of Uganda
  • Docus Nabyonga (Amos' mother from Uganda)
  • Eric Ceithaml, MD (pediatric cardiovascular surgeon, University of Florida)
  • Jose Ettedgui, MD (founder of Patrons of the Hearts, medical director of the Children's Heart Center at Wolfson Children's Hospital and University of Florida pediatric cardiologist)
  • Whitney and Andrew Gabet (Jacksonville host family)
  • Representatives from Samaritan's Purse and Wolfson Children's Hospital

The surgeries at Wolfson Children's Hospital were donated by the University of Florida pediatric cardiovascular surgeon Eric Ceithaml, MD, and arranged through Patrons of the Hearts, a non-profit organization formed to create an endowment to help underprivileged children with complex, congenital heart problems who live in developing countries. 

Samaritan's Purse brought Arthur and his aunt, Joram and his mother, and an interpreter to the United States for surgery through its Children's Heart Project.  The project identifies children overseas who need heart surgery and matches them with hospitals and specialists, like those from Wolfson Children's Hospital and the University of Florida who performed these surgeries, who are willing to donate their time and services.  Children's Heart Project also places them with a host family in the community and arranges their international travel.  After a month of recovery in Florida the boys will prepare to travel home to Africa with new hope and a second chance at life.

Arthur and Joram join Baby Rute as the latest additions to Patrons of the Hearts' effort to provide life-saving heart treatment and surgery to those who would not otherwise receive treatment.  Baby Rute, a 16-month-old girl from Ethiopia, is another child receiving help through the collaborative efforts of the Wolfson Children's Hospital and Patrons of the Hearts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• More than 450 children from nine countries have been brought to North America by the Children's Heart Project of Samaritan's Purse for medical and surgical care not available in their home countries. Fifty-five hospitals in North America have participated in the Children's Heart Project. 
• The Children's Heart Project is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham that works in more than 100 countries around the world. Samaritan's Purse has also provided doctors and hospitals overseas with equipment and training to diagnose and treat children with heart defects.

MEDIA NOTE:  For more information, high-resolution photos or to schedule an interview, contact Jessica Wilson (770) 813-0000 or (770) 826-6435 cell or visit the press kit and photo gallery on Samaritan's Purse online newsroom. 

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