JOHANN, NATALIE, & SAM PHILIPPINES

The Galang Family lives in a very rural village of Cebu. In 2016, little Johann was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect – a hole between his heart’s lower chambers. The condition required costly surgical treatment not readily available. At just 10 months old, Johann was brought to the United States to receive his HeartGift and he became a new baby immediately reaching age-appropriate milestones and thriving with his newly mended heart.

For most families, the risk of having another child with a congenital heart defect is small – only three to five percent. But Johann’s sister Natalie was born in 2018 and also diagnosed with ventricular septal defect. The Galang’s quickly turned to HeartGift and Natalie received her life-saving surgery.

Unfortunately, the Galang’s story does not end there. In 2022, littlest brother Sam was born with the same condition. HeartGift repaired his heart as well – this time in the city of Manila, through one of HeartGift’s international surgical programs. Three children, one family – a family that could have been torn apart by lifethreatening defects was instead restored by HeartGift… times three.