Meet four -year-old Rawan, who lives south of Bagdad, Iraq.  She has Tetralogy of Fallot, (a hole between the 2 ventricles), a cardiac condition that has become increasingly complicated due to her “advanced age” and not previously having the surgical intervention she needed.  Rawan’s lungs have been affected, and her condition is taxing.  She whispers due to fatigue, has a bluish color because of a lack of oxygen, and has not grown according to her age.

Our friend, Michael Kim, in the U.S. Army in Iraq, is from New York's own 353rd Civil Affairs Command (Airborne) and is serving with Michigan's B/415 Civil Affairs BN (Tactical).  Kim has been the primary advocate for Rawan, working with the Iraqi Ministry of Health, the mayor of Jabella, Ali Jasim, and his fellow soldiers, to provide the necessary medical care for this little girl. 1/76 Field Artillery and  Kim were Rawan's 911 responders. Through Michael, we heard Rawan's story, saw her picture, and instantaneously knew we wanted to help her and her parents, and our friend.

That said, “Team Rawan” promised to raise money for this life-giving cause. Knowing the difference that our team has made by raising money to fund medical expenses and aid in patient services has given us great pride and hope.  The first $1000 was raised by soldiers and contractors who gave through the "prayer for a dollar" week long (no pressure) fund drive.  

In addition, we are thrilled to have formed a connection with Children’s HeartLink, a wonderful organization contributing on a global scale to improve pediatric heart health for the past forty years.  We are moved to learn that they began their work in 1969 when information reached them that children in war-torn Vietnam were in need of treatment to correct congenital heart defects.

Children’s HeartLink has joined partnership with Michael Kim, Team Rawan, the National Iraqi Assistance Center (NIAC), the Kuwaiti Humanitarian Operations Center and the Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bangalore, India.  Together, all of these parties have contributed in key ways to expedite the work and goals of Rawan's Heart Fund. 

Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute, the project's coordinating hospital, is one of the largest heart hospitals in the world for children. It is known for its superlative cardiac care, especially for kids with complex heart problems.  Narayana Hrudayalaya's founder, the renowned pediatric heart surgeon Dr.Devi Shetty, was in charge of Mother Teresa's heart care, and established the hospital's mission to combine innovative health care affordable to the common man. 

At this time, 3 months after the start of this effort, Michael Kim, Team Rawan, NIAC, and Children's HeartLink have completed the particular mission concerning this child.  Contributions, your contributions, have made it possible for Rawan and her grandfather to travel to India so that Rawan could receive the diagnostic testing and medical care that was not available for her in Iraq.  This goal was accomplished and now Rawan and her grandfather, Mr. Ali,  are home.  Thanks to you and the diverse backgrounds of the team working with Kim in the areas of fundraising, medical consultation connections and planning, in addition to case management, necessary services for Rawan have been provided.

We are thankful to such a diverse generous group of people - from Iraqi linguists, soldiers, and contractors, to the first lady of  Minnesota (Mary Pawlenty), and all of the friends, relatives, and other supporters who have contributed to Rawan's Heart Fund.  Your hearts have been a beautiful match for this work, and we thank you for hearing and responding to the message.  You have all helped Rawan, and made a difference. 

You can contact us through Children’s HeartLink, c/o Rawan Heart Fund, 5075 Arcadia Avenue, Minneapolis, MN  55436.

For further details, please refer to the following news article entitled “Soldiers Help Iraqi Girl With congenital Heart Condition” featuring  Michael Kim.  http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51646

We thank you so very much for your support.

Lina Raspaolo, Siobhan J. Dolan,  Karla Foss Reilly & Heather Foley