Hearts Alive Recipient Goes Home!

Casa Corazón excitedly reports that our first Hearts Alive Recipient, Axel is ready to travel back to Honduras to his family. Axel, a 1 year old boy from Honduras, came to The United States for life saving heart surgery January 17, 2009. Surgery on February 9, 2009 gave his heart the "energy lift" it required to provide a healthy life for Axel. After 2 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Axel was ecstatic to be back with his host family who has graciously nursed him through his post-op phase. A Special Thank-You to Dale and Sharon Hess and family, New Oxford, PA who have opened up their home and hearts to lovingly care for Axel, Hershey Medical Center, Dr. Clark, Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Dr. Pauliks, Pediatric Cardiologist, Penny Porter, and Warren Smith, Cardiac Social Worker. What an amazing blessing to participate in giving the gift of life to a child! For Photos of Axel and more information on the Hearts Alive Project, please refer to the Projects and Initiatives Section of the Casa Web Site.

Neurosurgery Team Operates In Honduras

Casa Corazón's first neurosurgery brigade just returned from Honduras! During the week-long brigade, the team worked with local Neurosurgeons, Dra. Miller, Dr. Velasquez, and Dr. Mancias to help patients suffering from Spine fractures, brain tumors, brain aneurysms, congenital deformities, and hydrocephalus. Casa's team consisted of Dr. Joel Winer, Neurosurgeon, Missy Gillis, RN, Prudence Martin, RN, Megan Fingleton, Photographer, and Jodi Gemmell, RN. Casa Corazón wishes to thank the wonderful pediatric and OR staff at Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas, SPS for their generosity and hospitality in working together with us to change lives and offer hope. A special thank-you to the ladies from Fundacion Ayuda for helping us with travel arrangements and other details to make the trip run smoothly. A heart-felt thank-you goes to the members of the brigade for donating their time, talents, and rising to the challenge of caring for patients in a difficult environment. Stay tuned to our website for upcoming photos and thought from the brigade.

Upcoming Visit to Honduras

During 2008, Casa Corazón partnered with World Surgical Foundation, Harrisburg, PA and Ayuda Foundation, SPS, Honduras to complete a Water Project in Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas, San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The funding was graciously granted by Kind World Foundation specifically to provide clean water for children. The project included new bathrooms, renovated bathrooms, filtrated water fountains, and sink reparations. In December I will travel to Honduras to help report on the completed project. Stay tuned for that report.
In addition, I will meet with the owner, administrater of a private hospital and a pediatric cardiologist to organize surgical intervention for minor cardiac deficiencies in impoverished pediatric patients. Donations will be accepted to cover hospital costs, while providing this charitable opportunity to those who would otherwise be unable to pay for this life saving treatment. Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting project.

Happy Thanksgiving From Casa!

As the holidays approach, many search for projects for their class rooms, social groups, church groups, and families, etc to share the spirit of giving. Casa Corazon is currently accepting donations of tylenol, ibuprofen, and vitamins. Generic brands welcome. Both adult and children doses are needed. These medications will be distributed on our spring 2009 medical brigade which serves 400 underprivileged persons in the remote mountainous villages of Honduras, Central America. Should you wish to be involved in this project, please contact Cathy Stauffer at casacorazon@embaqmail.com. Watch for more upcoming Casa opportunities and activities on this blog site and Casa Corazon's new home page.

Greetings

We are so excited to join you in the blogosphere!

Casa is jumping on the crest of the technology wave, communicating the projects, initiatives, news and thoughts of our mission efforts. We realize that the success of our objective is contingent on the strength of our family.

As we're growing, we invite you to grow with us. Share the journey of hope for children in need in Central America and be lifted in this opportunity as together, we make the difference.

Be blessed!

Casa