Physical Health Venezuela Project #40279

Life-Saving Neurosurgery - Venezuela

by South American Initiative

Project Report | Dec 23, 2019
Together we can make a huge difference

By Steven Malca | Project Manager

Venezuela Neurosurgery: FINAL Project Update

Valencia, Venezuela - This report features summative details about the South American Initiative project that provided Neurosurgery for drug-resistant epileptic children in Venezuela.

For Children Suffering Daily Epileptic Seizures

In 2019 SAI launched a campaign to provide desperately need neurosurgery to children suffering from severe epileptic seizures every day.

The project included an implant device known as the Vagus Nerve Stimulator that sends mild electrical stimulation to the brain when it detects the neurological symptoms of an impending epileptic seizure.

SAI provided the surgical facility, paid for anesthesia, and the costs for the surgeons, nurses, and additional medical supplies.

Two Children Received Life-Changing Surgeries

Two life-changing neurosurgeries were successfully performed. The first was for one young girl and the second for a young boy. These two children are now living normal lives without constant and unpredictable episodes of grand mal seizures - also known as generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Their parents expressed tremendous gratitude and joy that their children were selected for the surgery. Both families have written letters describing how their kid's lives have drastically changed for the better now that they can live without the constant fear of epileptic seizures. The little girl was having 7-10 seizures a day. Now she has none.

Families Amazed with Generosity of SAI

Neither family could afford to pay for the necessary tests just to see if their children were viable candidates for the neurosurgery. When they discovered their children had been approved for the surgery, they were amazed at the generosity of SAI for providing such an expensive surgery at no cost to them.

The 2019 project was made possible through generous support from SAI donors.

You Can Help Us Do Even More in 2020

If you would like to know more about how SAI is helping desperate people in Venezuela, please take a look at the amazing projects SAI is leading to help orphan children, hospital patients, and abandoned animals in Venezuela.

With your support, we can continue to save the lives of the most vulnerable and innocent during this time of political and economic crisis in Venezuela. Click on the link below to see more details about our general hospital campaign: Let’s Give A Helping Hand to Venezuela.

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Aug 27, 2019
A New Life For kids Suffering Epileptic Seizures

By Jimmy Pena | Project Leader

After completing the first surgery successfully, it is time for our second patient, Andres. He is a 17 year-old-boy living with his parents in the city of Caracas. He frequently suffers eplitic seizures which affect every aspect of his life. It has made it impossible for him to enjoy a childhood like any other boy. Andres has difficulty performing physical activities such as swimming or running without worrying about having an epileptic seizure.

SAI’s neurosurgery program is the only viable option for these children. There are very few qualified doctors to carry out this procedure since many of these specialists have migrated to other countries. Not only are doctors scarce, but also the VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulator) devices that are inserted into patients, are impossible for any Venezuelan to afford. The cost is about $25,000 just for the device, not including the surgery.

Thanks to the collaboration of LIVANOVA, we’ve changed Andres' life completely. It has improved his confidence and his health in a surprising way. Now, his parents have something less to worry about: just being focused on his happiness.

This beautiful family has extended its thanks to LIVANOVA, SOUTH AMERICAN INITIATIVE, and all the DONORS who have worked together to help Andres overcome the constant threat of seizures due to his drug-resistant epilepsy.

South American Initiative has always been concerned with the welfare of the most needy in Venezuela. These surgeries represent a light in the midst of darkness for patients suffering from this life-threatening condition.

Many of these families believe there is no hope or help for their epileptic children due to the economic crisis in Venezuela. At SAI, our mission is to remind them there are kind and generous people who are putting their eyes on Venezuela, willing to give a helping hand no matter how small or large their need.

Thank you to all donors of GlobalGiving, LIVANOVA, and SAI for supporting our cause. The information is reflective of the GlobalGiving and SAI campaign Life-Saving Neurosurgery-Venezuela.

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