Volume III, Issue I www.angelheartintl.orgSpring 2010

UnexpectedlyFinding NewFamily Half aWorld Away

Also in this issue

Get Involved!

Interested in joining Angel

Heart? Learn about the vari-

ous opportunities available

to volunteers.

Page 2

Read thank you letters writ-

ten by the family of the chil-

dren that Angel Heart has

helped.

Page 4-5

Children's Stories

Page 6-7

Get a glimpse into the dif-

ficult lives led by the brave

CHD children AHI has en-

countered.

By MICHELLE DING

Volunteer

You've Got Mail

Angel HeartInternational

Angel Heart International’ssecond annual meeting took place thisyear on March 13 at the OrangeCounty Christian Evangelical Churchin Irvine, CA. The gathering aimed toupdate the AHI supporters and donorsin attendance on what the organizationhad achieved in the past year.

The event started at 3 p.m. withan opening song performed by AngelHuang, Paul Lee, and Wen-chuan Lin,followed by a brief video, “AVolunteer’s Journey.” After a shortintroduction, the promotional videocreated by high school volunteerSandra Fang for the Facebook Chasefunding event was shown.

Next, AHI President ShouyanLee gave his account of 2009,presenting an overview of the majoraccomplishments of the last year: 1) adefined operation model, 2) helping 11children, 3) great success in acquiringgrant funding and 4) increasing youthvolunteer participation. After Leethanked everyone who contributed toand supported AHI, the event movedonto an accounting summary for 2009,presented by Bei Lin.

Volunteer Michelle Ding alsoshared her own journey as a volunteer,talking about her involvement in boththe newsletter team and the supportgroup program. She introduced thevolunteer opportunities available in thevarious sectors of AHI, encouragingpotential future volunteers to becomeinvolved.

The attendees then participated ina game prepared by Lee, who askedquestions that tested the audience’sknowledge of AHI. After a musicalinterlude, guest speaker XiaoyanLiang, secretary of the Beijing Western

[See Meeting, Page 3]

Hello everyone, my name isMichelle Ding. I would first like to sayjust how honored I am to be able toshare my experiences with Angel HeartInternational. Working with AHI reallyhas been a fantastic experience for me,and I feel that I have learned so much.

When I first heard about AHIback in March of 2009, I immediatelywanted to get involved. When I joined,I got to write articles and edit for thenewsletter. This was an amazingexperience for me, giving me thechance to read about other people’saccounts, to help to spread the wordto other people, to tell them, “Look!These children need love, let’s give itto them. Let’s see what we can do forthem.”

I felt that by helping with thenewsletter, I gained a deeper insightinto what AHI wants to accomplish.As I read, wrote and edited articles, Iwas very moved by these children’sstories, which told of their difficulties,their obstacles, and of the hope andsupport that volunteers gave to thesechildren. Each story was a story oflove and compassion. Reading these,I felt that I wanted to be a part of thatgroup, someone who also cares somuch about these children, and Iwanted an opportunity to help. In Julyof 2009, I was given that opportunityas I traveled to Gansu to be a part ofthe Support Group Program.

Working within the SupportGroup Program is one of the greatestopportunities that I have ever received,and I would say that it was definitelyworth the trip. The program allows forvolunteers to travel to the GansuProvince to give children withcongenital heart disease and their

[See Experience, Page 3]

11-year-old Shi Shengxia is notable to speak because she was bornwith cleft lip and palate. Two yearsago, a cleft surgery through Smile Trainrepaired Shengxia’s lips but her VSDremained untreated, a conditiondiagnosed when she was only 2 yearsold. Shengxia’s mother is deaf, so inorder to concentrate care on themother-daughter pair, Shengxia’syounger brother was sent to live witha relative 500 miles away.

With an income of only 1,500RMB a year due to Shengxia’s father’spoor health, the costly 20,000 RMB(approximately $3,000) heart surgerywas never an option. Moreover, thefamily never knew of the consequenceof delaying surgery.

When Shengxia’s father heardabout AHI through a local doctor, we

were able to meet her for the first timeat AHI’s Dingxi office in July 2009.After reviewing her medical conditionand initial application, AHI’s Gansuteam visited her home that November.On Nov. 11, 2010, Shengxia receiveda successful VSD repair surgery andwas given a new opportunity at life.However, recovery from the surgerywas difficult, and Shengxia constantlygroaned in pain the second and thirdday after the operation. Shengxia’sfamily and AHI volunteers were at herbedside, praying together for her andcomforting her as much as possible.Days passed, and when a smile finallycame back to her face, we all felt greathappiness and relief. Shengxia nowmay have the chance of going back toschool, which she had dropped out ofbefore because of her illness.

ON THE MEND: Shi Shengxia (right) and Liu Haixia, both diagnosedwith Ventricular Septal Defect, received their surgeries on the same day.

Shi Shengxia

To read more children’s stories, turn to page 6

AHI AnnualMeeting KicksOff New Year,Reviews OldBy JOE LIAN

Volunteer

NEWS2 Spring 2010 Angel Heart Intl.

News Brief Mission Statement:

Angel Heart International is committed to serving children with congenital heartdiseases in China and other developing countries. We promise to do everythingpossible for these children, working not only to financially assist them in attaininglife-saving surgeries, but also compassionately building an enduring networkof support for each child, leading them to their new futures.

Our Vision:

We seek more grassroots efforts to give love and care to the CHD childrenand their families, and to go beyond simply providing medical services tothem.

We seek collaboration with other charities and NGOs so that the childrenAHI serves can later benefit from education, poverty alleviation and otherrelief organizations. Our goal is to create a chain of care for these children.

What AHI has done since the last newsletter.

CUDDLING UP: During a visit to Chen Wenbo's home, many AHI youthvolunteers went on the trip and checked up on Wenbo and his recovery.

December 5, 2009AHI’s Gansu volunteer team visitedWang Yuhong’s family in Dingxi. Theroad was covered with snow.December 9, 2009With help from AHI’s collaboratororganization Overseas Save ChineseChildren Foundation (OSCCF), whichhad joined the effort in saving He Jiayi

1. Data entry, databasemaintenance, and data reportgeneration

2. Organizing donation informationinto the patient database

3. Organizing fundraising andother events

4. Helping to draft grant proposals5. Writing and distributing Thank

You letters to donators

NewsletterResponsibilities may include:

1. Writing and editing AHI newsarticles and children's stories.

in April 2009, AHI launched aworldwide campaign calling for votesfor AHI in the Chase CommunityGiving Facebook event.December 16, 2009Wang Yuhong successfully underwentsurgery for ventricular septal defect(VSD) and pulmonary stenosis (PS)in Lanzhou.Also, with support from thousands ofpeople around the world, AHI,competing with thousands of fellowcharities, placed within the top 100 inChase Community Giving and wasthus granted $25,000 from ChaseBank.December 22, 2009Dr. Shouyan Lee visited Ping & AmyChao Family Foundation in Palo Alto,California.January 2, 2010Dr. Lee, representing AHI, paid asecond trip to the Chao FamilyFoundation, and both organizationsdecided to form the “Little Red Scarf”project with Chinese Christian HeraldCrusades (CCHC) to better serveCHD children in Gansu.

January 18-22, 2010Dr. Lee traveled to Beijing andLanzhou with Ping and Amy Chao tostart the collaboration efforts.March 4, 2010Zhu Lina had a follow-up check atGansu Province People’s Hospital.Her recovery has progressed verywell.March 13, 2010AHI held an annual meeting at OrangeCounty Christian Evangelical Church(OCCEC) in Irvine, California.Around 70 people, including manyyoung students, attended the gathering.

April 10, 2010Volunteers visited Dingxi andconducted a family visit for Su Yang, a3-year-old with VSD.May 3, 2010Volunteers visited Dingxi andconducted a family visit for ZhangYongcun, a 7-year-old with VSD.May 1-5, 2010Dr. Liu Yinglong, an AHI advisoryboard member from Beijing, attendedan American Association for ThoracicSurgery doctor training meeting underthe co-sponsorship of AATS andAHI’s Better Medical Care program.

Michelle Ding’s account is only oneof the collections of many stories fromAngel Heart International, and wewelcome all volunteers who want totake part in this organization and addto the growing collection ofexperiences.

AHI has many volunteeropportunities to offer, such as in itsunique life-changing program MendingYoung Hearts in Gansu, which isdivided into three sub programs:Medical Assistant Program, SupportGroup Program and Better MedicalCare Program.

Many volunteers can participatein the Support Group Program bytraveling to Gansu, China and helpingto conduct family visits andaccompanying the children and theirfamilies through the surgical process.Supporting the families during thiscrucial journey enables volunteers tolearn from and establish strong, long-lasting bonds with the children andfamilies they are helping. If you areinterested in this opportunity, pleasecontact an AHI representative aboutthe schedules and details of upcomingtrips.

If you cannot travel overseas,there are also many ways forvolunteers to be involved here at home.Here are the teams that you can join:

AdministrativeResponsibilities may include:

2. Formatting the final version ofeach issue of the newsletter forpublication

3. Translating articles either fromChinese to English or vice versa(if applicable to the volunteer)

WebsiteResponsibilities may include:

1. Designing for layouts that areuser friendly

2. Maintaining the website3. Updating the website with

current news, photos, andarticles

Become aVolunteer:Mending Broken HeartsMending Broken HeartsMending Broken HeartsMending Broken HeartsMending Broken Hearts4. Improving the website for more

efficient use

AccountingResponsibilities may include:

1. Entering donator’s informationand donations into database

2. Organizing and keeping track ofdonations and expenses

3. Organizing and supplyinginvoices, receipts, andstatements

4. Collecting and sending taxreceipts to donators

If you want to contribute to AHI,don’t hesitate to contact us. Not onlydo we appreciate your efforts, but thechildren in Gansu do as well.

LET IT SNOW: Wang Yuhongleads AHI volunteers to her home.

Spring 2010 Angel Heart Intl. 3NEWS

families emotional support before,during and after the surgical process.

I made a lot of new friends inGansu, friends that I would cherish forlife. When I first arrived in Gansu, Iwas just a stranger to these families,but I would always keep going backto visit them, to say hi, to see how theywere doing, and eventually, I becamepart of their family. I was treated likefamily. The children we had helpedbecame more than just clients, morethan just friends; they became our littlesisters, brothers, nephews and nieces,and I look forward to returning to seemy new little sister, Zhu Lina. I learnedso much from her. I remember when Ibrought a gift, a pencil box, for Lina

and her sister, and she began to cry. Irealized that those tears weren’t tearsof sadness, but of happiness. Zhu Linawas overjoyed, moved to tears to learnthat someone cared, that there washope. I had never seen anyone soappreciative of such a simple gift. ToLina, we weren’t just giving her a pencilbox; we were giving her a future, achance — hope.

When everyone was getting readyto leave, I saw that Lina was standingin the doorway still shedding tears. Iwas in awe of Lina’s gratitude for thegifts I had given her, but I couldn’t helpbut feel a little sad, so I approached

her. I comforted her, telling her not tocry and that everything will be OK.

Afterwards, Zhu Lina’s familyaccompanied us back to our cars andnever once did Zhu Lina let go of myhand. In order to get back, we neededto walk down a long road and crossrailroad tracks. When crossing therailroad tracks, I couldn’t keep mybalance by myself, and Zhu Lina wasthere to help me every step of the way.This is just the beginning of our closebond. Zhu Lina and I exchanged ourcontact information, and 10 days afterher surgery, she texted me about howshe was doing and how I didn’t haveto worry about her. I knew that this isthe start of a life-long friendship. It is

through AHI that we got to know eachother, help each other, support eachother and love each other.

Of course, this bond is not justwith Zhu Lina; all the children that Ihave come across have taught mesomething, shown me something, andshared with me something. NiuHaixiong was one of these specialchildren, and she taught me that wedon’t need material wealth to makeus happy or optimistic. All we need isto have our loved ones around us.

When Dr. Lee asked us to keepNiu Haixiong company while he talkedto her parents, we were more thanhappy to do so. And in that shortmoment, I learned all about NiuHaixiong. I learned that at secondgrade she had to quit school becauseshe simply couldn’t manage to walkthe long miles to the schoolhouse. Ilearned that she had trouble breathingand got sick quite often. I found outthat her parents need to work so hardjust to provide the funds for hermedical expenses. But all those thingsare not what I remember most aboutNiu Haixiong. I remember that NiuHaixiong, despite her condition,helped her mother with houseworkwhenever she could. I remember NiuHaixiong loving her house and herfamily, saying that her home is the mostbeautiful place in the world. Iremember her optimism, strength andappreciation for life. It really changedthe way that I look at life. Despite allthe obstacles she must face from day

Sunshine Rural DevelopmentFoundation, took the stage to describeher experiences with volunteerism,recounting stories of volunteers shehad worked with and informing of thediffering viewpoints often foundbetween volunteers and the peoplethey try to help.

An awards ceremony was heldfollowing Liang’s speech, and Liangand Dr. Peter Chen of the AHIadvisory board, who is also presidentof the Center for Innovation and

Strategic Collaboration at St. JudeMedical Inc., both handed outVolunteer of the Year awards. Therecipients were: Michelle Ding of UCIrvine, Jennifer Yang of Saratoga HighSchool and Annie Wang of UCBerkeley.

After the awards were handedout, Edwards Lifesciences engineerand AHI volunteer Dr. Hengchu Caotook the stage to give a brief speech,and then the annual event concludedwith the hymn “Let Love Flow.”

EXPERIENCE:EXPERIENCE:EXPERIENCE:EXPERIENCE:EXPERIENCE: Learning From the ChildrenFROM PAGE 1

to day, she still manages to keep anoptimistic view, enjoying each day andloving her parents. Her lessons will staywith me forever.

I came back to U.S. with lessonsthat only these children could havetaught me. Niu Haixiong and Zhu Linashared their world with me, teachingme to truly appreciate the things that Ihave, to never take anything forgranted. I admire these two girls forfacing what they have faced – poverty,disease and hardships – and yet, inspite of it all, they have maintained theiroptimism. I may have given them apencil box, talked to and stayed withthem through surgery, but they haveshared with me their strength.

My experiences with AHI havedefinitely helped me to grow. Fromwriting articles for the newsletter tovolunteering in Gansu, each momentwith AHI is memorable. I encourageeverybody who shares AHI’s valuesto be a part of this wonderful

organization, whether it’s helping to runthe website, writing articles for thenewsletter, volunteering in Gansu orhelping with administrative work.Every little effort counts.

AHI is a truly unique organization,and I really feel that I connect with itsmission. We don’t simply focus oncuring these children’s diseases; wealso emphasize the quality of the highlyindividualized care for each child.Every volunteer is dedicated to caringfor these children, being a part of theirfamily. Everything we do is for thechildren, and you’ll find that in givingCHD children a second chance at abrighter future, they’ll help youdiscover a sense of fulfillment and adeeper appreciation for what we have.We – the support group volunteers,newsletter writers, website designersand administrators – have gainedsomething special from these children,something that will change us,something that will last us a lifetime.

MEETING:MEETING:MEETING:MEETING:MEETING: Reflecting Back on the Past YearFROM PAGE 1

STANDING GUARD: Michelle Ding was one of the several AHI volun-teers who watched over 3-year-old Wang Tao after his heart surgery.

SISTERS: Zhu Lina was still cry-ing when it was time to say goodbye.

A CONCERTED EFFORT: AHI volunteers of all ages come together asthey conduct family and hospital visits to see the children and their families.

SHARING: Speaker Xiaoyan Liang expressed her thoughts on volunteerism.

Correspondence4 Spring 2010 Angel Heart Intl.

To all the volunteers at Angel Heart:

Dear Sirs and Madams,How are you? It has been a while since we’ve seen your familiar faces, and we all miss you very much, especiallymy sister Lan Xiaohua.Time flies by so quickly, like a fast-flowing river, rapidly slipping out of my grasp. These past two years havebeen filled with many unforgettable events, but the most poignant and memorable is the love and dedication thatyou gave to save the lives of countless children with congenital heart disease, including my only little sister. As herolder sister, you have my infinite gratitude.Lan Xiaohua, a bright and charming young child, became the center of our lives after being diagnosed withcongenital heart disease. Our poverty rendered us unable to afford and provide proper treatment, that is until2008, when an unexpected miracle brought hope back into our lives.I remember that ever since I was 10 years old, my father would desperately borrow money to try to cure my littlesister, but each attempt ended in failure. The entire family chipped in to try and save up what money we could, livinga life so miserable and difficult that it was not much better than death. During those strenuous years, I learned a lotabout life. My father could not afford to send my sister to get examined at the renowned hospital in our province’scapital, so instead we went to Dingxi to go through the medical procedures. When the examination results came outweeks later, I could see the worry and anxiety my father attempted to mask with the carefree expression on his face.He told my mother that my sister’s disease could only be cured with surgery and that the herbal medicine they weregiving her would not be enough.

For a family of peasants like us, surgery was like an impossible dream. I felt like I was being stabbed throughthe heart each time I confronted my parents. How I wanted to help! Yet I could only watch helplessly because,despite my desire to contribute, as a mere elementary school student, I had to face reality and accept my ownimpotence. At that time, I realized the importance of education. My teacher constantly reminded us that our fatewas in our own hands, and only by taking action and working hard could we truly control our lives. Inspired by thispiece of advice, I successfully finished my middle school education.Just as I was about to graduate middle school, a piece of exciting news seemed to bring light and faith back intoour dreary, difficult lives with love’s shining hope. We had received the news that America’s Angel HeartInternational, curtsey of Dr. Lee, had agreed to grant us the money needed to cure my sister. At that point, I wasso deliriously happy that I seemed to go numb. Our wildest dreams were about to come true. Was this reallyhappening? This heavy-hearted and grim household was suddenly filled with laughter and uninhibited joy. I wasfilled with respect for Dr. Lee, and the anticipation and excitement made me wonder what exactly this bringer offortune looked like.

One day when I returned home from school, I found it filled with strangers, but yet I could feel the warmth and

friendliness that they emanated. When I greeted Dr. Lee and Ms. Niu, I felt myself enveloped by a love that was

so much more than the connection between family members. I secretly stored this boundless affection in a secret

corner of my heart, determined to make it last forever.

Not long afterward, my father and I took my sister to the People’s Hospital in Lanzhou, where we were met by

dozens of nurses, doctors and hospitable people as well as Lanzhou’s towering skyscrapers and magnificent buildings.

That was my first time going to Lanzhou, and I suddenly felt a separation between myself and the others. At that

moment, I realized just how big the world really was.

In the weeks leading up to the surgery, Dr. Lee, Ms. Niu, sister Yangyang and Ms. Ma would always drop

by to check up on my sister and the rest of us, each time loaded with goodies and treats that must have cost them a

fortune. To tell the truth, this was a pivotal moment in my life — when I realized the love that was present. You

performed an extraordinary act in an ordinary world, and I represent the rest of the children awaiting your help

when I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Even after the surgery, you still always thought of my sister, bringing her fruits and other nutritional items

without any complaints even after all this time. Ms. Niu still constantly calls us up, wondering about my sister’s

health and school circumstances. Surrounded by this endless love and care, I am speechless. This world is beautiful

and vibrant due to the love and devotion you bestow on people like us. Love can move mountains and rivers, and I

feel how the world is filled with it.

In the long, winding road of life, when one has selfless love, he or she has everything. The returns of love are not

only great, but they can also accomplish miracles. The greatness of the sea is fueled by the many rivers that pour their

waters into it, and the greatness of life is fueled by the countless small and great destinies that define it. We are

connected to each other through these predestined connections. Love can revive the coldest of hearts, rejuvenate

everything, bring warmth, soothe and mend broken hearts, and build bridges of communication. As long as our

hearts are filled with love, we can have hope that tomorrow will be a brighter day.

In the future, I will immerse myself in this love you have given me and will spread it to everyone around me. I

will always remember your love and will store it in my heart forever, using my actions to fulfill my promises. I will help

to instruct and advise my sister to work hard and diligently.

Thank you for everything, and I hope you all live peaceful and content lives! New Year’s has arrived, and I send

you my most heartfelt regards. I wish you a lucky Year of the Tiger and that every day is safe and prosperous and

that your families are filled with happiness! -- Sister Lan Xiaoyan

01-20-2010

Lan Xiaohua's Family

Xiaohua

To the Angels of my heart,My name is Zhu Lina. I am 14 years old, and I am currently in eighth grade. My home is

situated in a small and poor village, and my family consists of my grandmother, father, mother,

and two sisters — one younger and one older. My father is the only person that is able to work

and provide the resources to help support the entire family. He has to work tirelessly every day in

acres of parched land, but in the end, the crops that he harvests are not enough to feed everyone in

the family. So how can it be possible to have enough crops to sell for money?

Due to a severe injury when working at a construction site, my mother has lost the ability to

assist with work; thus, she is unable to help my father with farming. The entire family’s burden has

to be put on my father’s shoulders. Moreover, my grandmother has always suffered from different

illnesses. The most severe illness is her bronchitis, and she has a lot of trouble breathing and coughs

frequently every winter. Because we don’t have the money, my grandmother hasn’t been able to

go see a doctor, and even as of now, she can only depend on cheap cough medicines to alleviate

her discomforts.I have had my illness ever since I was born; it is congenital heart disease. My father was aware of

the fact that I needed surgery in order to be cured of my disease, but my father truly could not save

enough money for the operation. To us, the expensive surgical expenses are numbers that we

cannot even comprehend. This was why I was left with my disease, and I had to live with it until I

was 14 years old.One day, my family heard the news that an organization is helping to provide free surgeries

for children with congenital heart disease. Immediately, my father began asking people for more

information. He finally found out that this organization is from the United States and is working

with the Health School of Dingxi to help provide free surgeries for these impoverished children. This

organization is called Angel Heart International. Afterwards, my father contacted the school’s

principal, Principal Zhang, and shortly afterwards, Principal Zhang and volunteers from the United

States came to my house for a family visit. In the end, I had finally heard the news that made my

whole family extremely happy – I get to receive surgery for free! I will never forget how happy I

felt at that moment and how happy my family felt as well!

Right now on behalf of my family and myself, I would like to express my deepest gratitude

towards Angel Heart International. Thank you for giving me a second healthy life. Thank you for

teaching me the value of life, how precious it is. I want to thank everyone that had helped me and

loved me. It is because of you that I can feel the warmth coming from the mountaintops, the

“sunshine” from the mountaintops. You are forever my most beautiful angels. You all possess an

angel’s heart filled with love and compassion; a heart that warms up the world and lights up every

remote corner of it with sunshine. You all brighten up these corners and protect the world from

darkness and coldness.When I grow up, I also want to be a compassionate person. I want to use my own capabilities

to love others, to help others. Because I know that when one receives love, one should also use

one’s own love to care for others.Angel Heart International not only provided me with financial support, but also taught me

how to use love to help others. Thank you everyone!

One who received love,

Zhu Lina08-11-2009

Spring 2010 Angel Heart Intl. 5Correspondence

Dear Mr. He,

Hello. How are you? I’m not sure if addressing you this way is suitable or not. Even thoughJiayi and my daughter are the same age, I’m sure that I am older than you. As I see and hear ofJiayi’s recovery, the weight in my heart can finally be settled. You and I now have more time toshare our feelings as well.

First of all, I have one regret and an apology to make. I had originally planned to come toFuzhou to experience this life-changing challenge with your family and Jiayi. If I had come,maybe Jiayi would have been able to receive the surgery sooner, and you and your familywouldn’t have had to worry as much. I greatly apologize for this. Being side by side with you andyour family during this pivotal period of life’s journey is Angel Heart’s mission. It is because ofthis mission that our hearts, including every volunteer’s and contributor’s, have been greatlytouched. I sincerely regret that I was unable to accompany you in this life-changing experienceat that time.

I know you want to say thanks, but you really don’t need to thank me. Being the father of adaughter who also has congenital heart disease, my feelings and sufferings are the same asyours. I would only like for us to help and comfort each other. After all, no one can trulyexperience our heartaches and struggles if they have never gone through this ordeal. In fact, Iwant to express my gratitude to you for allowing me to experience once again the love and thejoy of life. When I received the great news that the surgery was successful, my eyes filled withtears. Truly, all the money in the world cannot be exchanged for this feeling of pure delight.

I need to acknowledge and credit Hanqin for this entire undertaking. If it were not for himand his persevering effort and determination to seek help everywhere for Jiayi, we might havenever met. So while we’re speaking of gratitude, we need to thank him. We also need to thankDr. Wang and his team. We need to thank every donator and volunteer who contributed inhelping Jiayi through this entire process. Lastly, we need to thank God, who used his time-surpassing love to bring us together amidst the boundless sea of people in this world.Jiayi, after receiving treatments from the miraculous hands of Dr. Wang and his team, stillhas a long road ahead of her in life. Every one of us all wishes her a fast and complete recoveryas well as a return to school. If she is willing, we want to give her our most sincere blessings fora life full of love, happiness and protection from harm!

—Shouyan Lee

Note: All letters were orginally written in Chinese.

At the Hospital

Family Visit

He Jiayi

Spring 2010 Angel Heart Intl.6 Children's Stories

Wang Tao was diagnosed withventricular septal defect when he was1 year old at the Longxi CountyHospital. However, his family’sunfortunate financial situation renderedhim unable to afford treatment.

Because Wang Tao’s parents hasto care for their large household ofseven people, they cannot leave hometo find work outside of their village.His parents are able to feed the wholefamily by cultivating wheat, beans andpotatoes, but to earn enough moneyfor daily living expenses, the familyneeds to sell their potatoes. WangTao’s parents were also unaware ofthe potential consequences of theirson’s disease if it were left untreated.

Wang Tao catches colds veryeasily and is out of breath every timehe is active for long periods of time.His weakened immune system, a resultof his heart disease, had caused hisparents to go to the doctors in DingxiCounty Hospital to seek further

3-year-old Liu Wen wasdiagnosed with ventricular septaldefect when she was 7 months old.Her father has to work in another cityand is thus unable to visit his familyvery often, leaving Liu Wen’s motherto single-handedly raise Liu Wen andher baby brother. Because she musttake care of her children at home, LiuWen’s mother cannot go out to work,so the family depends entirely on themeager $300 that Liu Wen’s fathersends home each year as well as thesupport that her grandfather can affordto offer.

Because of her condition, LiuWen always gets tired and catchescolds very easily. But with the family'smonthly rent, daily expenses and thecosts of Liu Wen’s doctor visits forher colds all being supported by hergrandfather’s income as a low-wageconstruction worker, there is notenough money left to spare for the

Zhu Lina, a shy and timid girl of14, was diagnosed with ventricularseptal defect. Her family, made up ofher parents, a grandmother and twosisters, first learned of her CHD aftershe visited a doctor for a cold. Due tothe meager living that her father makesby farming wheat and potatoes, theirfamily income, which must sustain fivepeople plus a sick grandmother, isbarely enough to provide basic survivalnecessities. Even Lina’s house wasbuilt with the help of her aunts andrelatives.

Unfortunately, Zhu Lina’s poorfinancial situation has prevented herfrom receiving the proper health carethat she needs. Even though she trieshard and does well in school, she hastrouble attending physical educationclasses because she gets tired and outof breath very easily. Her family wasfirst referred to AHI by a local villagedoctor during the summer of 2009,and on July 6 of that year, AHIvolunteers made the first family visit toassess the family’s financial situation.

Liu Haixia is a cute little girl, buther life was threatened by VSD, whichwas diagnosed by the doctors at herbirth. The doctor told her father thatsurgery is the only way to cure herCHD. However, as farmworkers, herfamily would need 10 years worth ofincome to pay for Haixia’s life-savingsurgery. Thus, her family waited andwaited, not knowing that the delaycould cost Haixia her life.

treatment. It was there that they metMr. Jibing Wang, who referred themto AHI. AHI volunteers visited WangTao’s home on April 28, 2009, andAHI agreed to support all of WangTao’s surgical expenses. On July 6,2009, Wang Tao successfullyunderwent surgery to repair his VSD.Under the direct care of his parents,hospital staff and AHI volunteers,Wang Tao was able to recover andwas discharged on July 14.

surgery that would repair her heartdefect.

The family first learned about AHIfrom a doctor at Dingxi Hospital, andon July 25, 2009, AHI volunteersmade their first visit to Liu Wen’shome, deciding that AHI would payfor Liu Wen’s surgical expenses. LiuWen successfully underwent surgeryon Aug. 6, 2009 and was dischargedfrom the hospital on Aug. 15. She hassince fully recovered under the careof her family, hospital staff and AHIvolunteers.

AHI decided to cover all the surgerycosts.

Zhu Lina successfully had surgeryfor her congenital heart disease onAug. 7, 2009. With the tender care ofher family, relatives and AHIvolunteers, Zhu Lina recovered verywell and was discharged from thehospital on Aug. 15.

Wang Tao (3 years old)Operation Date: 07-6-2009

Zhu Lina (14 years old)

Operation Date: 08-6-2009

Operation Date: 08-7-2009

Liu Wen (3 years old)

Liu Haixia (3 years old)

After the family was introducedto AHI by a local doctor, AHIvolunteers paid them a family visit onNov. 1, 2009, navigating through thesteep and winding dirt road coveredwith spotty snow that leads to Haixia’svillage. Her home is very similar tothose of the other families we havevisited: illiterate parents andimpoverished house and furniture.

AHI and Gansu ProvincePeople’s Hospital quickly arrangedHaixia’s surgery, which shesuccessfully underwent on Nov. 11with her father and AHI volunteers ather side. Finally, the helplessness andanxiety gave way to smiles andhappiness on both Haixia’s and herfather’s faces. On Nov. 23, Haixia wasdischarged from the hospital. Dr. LiuXiangguang wrote in his notes: “Thesurgery is a complete success; she isexpected to be as healthy as a normalchild.”

Operation Date: 11-11-2009

BIG SISTER: Zhu Lina (right) holds the much younger Liu Wen (left)tightly as they both get ready for their surgeries at the hospital.

COMFORT: Liu Haixia's grandmother and Haixia together at the hospital.

Spring 2010 Angel Heart Intl. Children's Stories 7

Wang Yuhong is a 17-year-oldgirl. During the time of AHI’s familyvisit, she was still in relatively goodhealth. However, she tended to gettired very easily, always squattingdown when she got tired from walking.She was also prone to fainting.

Yuhong’s family consists of herparents, two younger siblings andherself. Though her grandparents livewith her uncle, Yuhong’s family musthelp pay for their living expenses aswell. Yuhong’s family has four acresof farm land, and her parents cultivatewheat, corn and potato to support theirwhole family. Yuhong’s father had togo to inner Mongolia to seek work,currently laboring at a construction sitethere for the past two years. When hecan find work, he earns around $263per month and can only provide about$550 to $700 every year. Yuhong’smother has to stay at home to take

Follow-up Checks

On Nov. 12, 2009, almostexactly one year after his successfulsurgery, Liu Weijun went back toGansu Province People’s Hospital fora follow-up check. To the delight ofthe doctors and every AHI volunteer,Weijun had gained almost 20 lbs inthe past year. The previously shy andweak child is replaced with anenergetic and sometimes adorablynaughty boy. He is constantly movingaround and jumps more often thanhe walks.

Weijun has resumed school andstarted attending an English classthere. One AHI volunteer asked himif he knew the words “dog” and“pig,” and Weijun pronounced thewords back with a big mischievousgrin.

The following medicalexamination showed Weijun’sexcellent recovery, and there was no

sign of any unfavorable developments.Because Weijun’s CHD was quitecomplicated, he will need regularcheckups once a year or every twoyears.

Also on Nov. 12, 2009, WangTao, the 3-year-old boy whoreceived surgery that July, had hisfollow-up check as well. Wang Taois still shy and nervous around thedoctors and nurses, and it seems likethe memory of the pain of surgery still

Follow-up Date: 11-12-2009

rests on his mind. However, WangTao's health since the surgery hasprogressed very well, and he will bea completely normal child. Hisparents, overjoyed at their son’swonderful recovery, smiledthroughout the entire checkup.

On March 4, 2010, Zhu Lina,accompanied by her father, wentback to the hospital for a follow-upcheck. As we have seen with all of

our patients, she has gained weight andconfidence. Her recuperation hasgone very well, and she is nowcompletely recovered. In her letter toAHI during the Chinese New Yearholiday, Zhu Lina said, “During mysurgery at the hospital, manyvolunteers came to see me, toaccompany me through that painfuljourney. This journey gave me asecond chance at life, made meappreciate the preciousness of lifeand, more importantly, allowed me theopportunity to experience love thatcame from outside of the mountainvalley in which I live. Let the worldbe filled with love!”

Wang Tao (3 years old)

Zhu Lina (14 years old)Follow-up Date: 03-4-2010

Wang Yuhong (17 years old)Operation Date: 12-16-2009

care of the children and work in thefields. Their family income is barelyenough to cover daily expenses andpay for the tuition for Yuhong’s youngersiblings (Yuhong had to quit school dueto her poor health and frequent colds).

Her parents had never soughtproper treatment for her, and thoughthey knew of her CHD, they wereunaware of the severity and effects ofher condition. After hearing aboutAngel Heart International from aphysician at Dingxi Hospital, Yuhong’sparents contacted us and finallylearned about the seriousconsequences of Yuhong’s CHD fromthe volunteer physicians. Because ofher family’s insufficient income, AHIhelped to fund and cover the costs ofYuhong’s surgery, which took placeDec. 16, 2009. The operation was asuccess, and Yuhong was dischargedon Dec. 25.

Liu Weijun (11 years old)Follow-up Date: 11-12-2009

Income

Nonrestricted Public SupportCorporate ContributionsIndividual Contributions

Gifts

InvestmentsInterest-savings, short-term CD

Total Income:

Expense

Program ExpensesSurgery Fees

Family Visit ExpensesBetter Medical Care ProgramBank Fees to China

Operating Expenses (USA)Postage, Mailing ServiceTelephone, TelecommunicationsBusiness Registration FeesWeb design and maintenance

Total Expense:

Net Income:

AHI's Annual Financial StatementAs of 12-31-2009

$30,958.95$14,103.97

$243.74

$100.36

$45,407.02

$21,026.79$240.50$979.55$91.22

$85.26$181.30$45.00$161.79

$22,811.41

$22,595.61

Spring 2010 Angel Heart Intl.Thank You8

PresidentShouyan Lee, Ph.D.Medical Device Consultant

Vice PresidentXiuqiang WangResearch Scientist, Quest Diagnostics

SecretaryLan An

TreasurerNancy T. Wang

MembersChen Li, Ph.D.UC Irvine ProfessorQuan ChenBroadcom Engineer

Peter C. Chen, Ph.D.President, Irvine Biomedical, Inc,St. Jude Medical

Yinglong Liu, MDDirector, Department of PediatricCardiovascular Surgery in FuwaiHospital, Beijing, China

Qingyun MaDean, School of Architecture,

University of Southern California

John W. Moore, MD, MPH

Director, Division of CardiologyDepartment of Pediatrics,

School of Medicine

UC San Diego

Geert W. Schmid-Schoenbein

Professor, Department ofBioengineering, UC San Diego

Xiaodong Zhu, MD

Fellow, Chinese Academy ofMedical Sciences

Board MembersDonation Form

Send Donations to: PO BOX 17486, Irvine, CA 92623-7486

or Donate online at www.angelheartintl.org

Advisory Board

Newsletter

Editor-in-ChiefYuning "Annie" Wang

EditorsMichelle DingJenny Shou

Please make checks payable to Angel Heart International, Inc.

It has been three years since the inception of Angel Heart International, and since then we've been able to personally help 16 chidlren undergo success-ful heart surgeries. This accomplishment could not have been possible without the generous financial support from our donors. We would now like to

acknowledge and thank those special individuals and organizations.*

AnonymousBarry J. Smith & Sandra L. SmithJoseph Cheng, DDSQiang Li & Jing Jing LiXiuqiang WangTai-Lin LeePu-Kwang Chang & Mei-Mei ChangYih Jen Lin & Yi Wen LinJinhui Huang & Jianhui ZhuAnonymousXiaolin LuoIn honor of Cindy LinYufeng LiShouyan LeeEarl ValentineAnonymousDavid A. Young & Qing T. YoungMeng Zheng & Xiaoling ChaiHan Zheng

Ruixin YangYushan Lu & Lan AnAnonymousAnonymousDazhi Cen, MDCardinal HealthLiang Zhou, Jianhua, Alina & Jennifer YangAnonymousVtec Auto RepairAnonymousAnonymousQingping Huang & Cassy X. HeeNational Semiconductor

Wen BiaoXiaolin LuoCardinal HealthAnonymousJoseph Cheng, DDSVtec Auto Repair

Yen Chin ChenLiliane ChangXiaolin LuoChase Community GivingAnonymousCorina L. O’RourkeAnonymousQingping Huang & Cassy X. HeeOrange County Christian Evangelical ChurchGoodcountAnonymousJerry & Judy HuangFeng Lu & Jing ChenYih Cherng Chuck Feng & Judy FengPing & Amy Chao Family FoundationAnonymousIn memory of Dr. Alfred Tim Fu HoAnonymousAmerican Association for Thoracic SurgeryCapital GroupShouning Li

Patient Name Age Diagnosis Surgery DateZhang, Jiasheng 6 Ventricular Septal Defect 4/28/2008Liu, Lele 4 Ventricular Septal Defect 4/28/2008Ding, Xiaoyan 12 Tetralogy of Fallot 6/25/2008Lan, Xiaohua 14 Ventricular Septal Defect 6/25/2008Ran, Lihong 10 Ventricular Septal Defect 9/25/2008Chen, Wenbo 4 Ventricular Septal Defect 9/25/2008Liu, Weijun 10 Double Outlet Left Ventricle 11/10/2008Ma, Ruoying 2 Patent Ductus Arteriosis 2/12/2009Ma, Juan 3 VSD, PDA, Atrial Septal Defect 2/13/2009He, Jiayi 7 Tetralogy of Fallot 4/21/2009Wang, Tao 3 Ventricular Septal Defect 7/6/2009Liu, Wen 3 Ventricular Septal Defect 8/6/2009Zhu, Lina 14 Ventricular Septal Defect 8/7/2009Shi, Shengxia 11 Ventricular Septal Defect 11/11/2009Liu, Haixia 3 Ventricular Septal Defect 11/11/2009Wang, Yuhong 17 VSD, Pulmonary Stenosis 12/16/2009

Name

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How would you like to be listed (circle one)?

As Listed Above In Memory OfAnonymous In Honor Of

Name(s)

Instructions, comments or suggestions:

In honor of Yucheng CheAnonymousAmerican Association for Thoracic SurgeryMing LiAnonymousChen Li & Yu ZhaoOrange County Christian Evangelical ChurchEdwards LifesciencesGoodcountMing K. & Li Duan LeeZhiwei Wang & Lan WuAnonymousChin Lang Fu & Shu-Jung FuIn honor of Ho Lou WangAnonymous

Shouyan LeeAnonymousAnonymousOrange County Christian Evangelical ChurchAmerican Association for Thoracic SurgeryPeter C. Chen & Natalia L. ChenAnonymousYen Chin ChenLiang Zhou, Jianhua, Alina & Jennifer YangLiliane ChangFeng Lu & Jing ChenOverseas Save Chinese Children FoundationCapital Group

AnonymousJerry & Judy HuangMeng Zheng & Xiaoling ChaiWen-Chuan LinAlice ChenAnonymousYufeng LiEdwards LifesciencesAnonymousZhen TianIn honor of Ho Lou WangAnonymousChih Kai Liu & Ke YangYushan Lu & Lan AnAnonymousYih Jen Lin & Yi Wen LinMingjer Lin & Chuchu ChenPu-Kwang Chang & Mei-Mei Chang

Alice LeeHorace LingDazhi Cen, MDVtec Auto RepairMing LiIn honor of Dennis LiLichun BaoIn memory of Mark C.S. Shu, Ph.D.Gene Huang & Lisa LiTerry & Diane BlansfieldAnonymousAnonymousAnonymousMeng Zheng & Xiaoling ChaiYiwu Zhu & Meng ZhouAnonymousYilan Qiu & Wei LiuJingyi Zhang & Weiwei ZhuSusan Chiuping Zhang & John Huaqiang LiDiana H. WeiNancy Wang & Eric WeiChen Li & Yu Zhao

RSM, CAHingham, MACarmichael, CAIrvine, CACosta Mesa, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CARancho SantaMargarita, CAMason, OHOrange, CAMission Viejo, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CA

Sharon, MAIrvine, CAIrvine, CATorrance, CAMcMurray, PA

Houston, TXTustin, CAIrvine, CA

Seal Beach, CAYorba Linda, CA

Irvine, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CALa Palma, CA

Irvine, CAPotomac, MDOrange, CASydney, AustraliaIrvine, CAIrvine, CARSM, CAYorba Linda, CAIrvine, CAYorba Linda, CA

Irvine, CA

Carlsbad, CA

Fairfax, VALaguna Hills, CAIrvine, CAOrange, CACarmichael, CADublin, OHSaratoga, CA

Irvine, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CALincoln, RI

Santa Clara, CA

Irvine, CAIrvine, CABeverly, MA

Costa Mesa, CAWalnut, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CA

Irvine, CAIrvine, CAMission Viejo, CAIrvine, CARSM, CAIrvine, CA

Cypress, CARiverside, CA

Nuremburg, GermanySydney, AustraliaDublin, OHSanta Ana, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CA

RSM, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CA

Beverly, MA

Irvine, CA

Walnut, CAYorba Linda, CASaratoga, CA

Tustin, CALake Forest, CAToledo, OH

Los Angeles, CA

Irvine, CATustin, CAIrvine, CA

Irvine, CAYorba LInda, CAOrange, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CACypress, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CALaguna Hills, CAIrvine, CAIrvine, CATustin, CA

La Palma, CA

Yorba Linda, CATustin, CASydney, AustraliaNYC, New YorkIrvine, CAMalibu, CAWalnut, CALincoln, RI

Irvine, CA

Irvine, CARSM, CATustin, CAFoothill Ranch, CAFountain Valley,CAPalo Alto, CA

Irvine, CASan Leandro, CA

RSM, CABeverly, MA

Los Angeles, CAPasadena, CA

Name Location2007

Name Location Name Location Name Location

2009

2010

2008

Ching Tai Chiu & Mindy ChiuAnonymousMingjer Lin & Chuchu Chen

Saratoga, CA

Irvine, CATustin, CA

*Listed in chronological order