STORY OF JIGNESH (NAME CHANGED)
9-year-old Jignesh (name changed) from Tamil Nadu was presented with chest pain and breathing difficulty while playing. Born with congenital aortic stenosis due to a bicuspid aortic valve, he had his first balloon aortic valvuloplasty at the age of 2 at our partner hospital. He was doing well after the treatment, however he was noted to have leaky aortic valve i.e., severe aortic regurgitation. He was advised to have either valve repair or replacement, but both came with significant challenges, repair offers unpredictable long-term outcomes, while replacement would mean lifelong medication and multiple surgeries as he grows. Hence, he underwent Ozaki aortic valve reconstruction in 2022 supported by Genesis Foundation where the damaged valve is rebuilt using his own tissue. He recovered well, but by 2025 the valve became stenotic again, and a balloon valvuloplasty was attempted. The relief was temporary, and by September 2025, Jignesh returned with worsening symptoms. His father, a farmer, and mother, a homemaker, were unable to afford further treatment, and Genesis Foundation stepped in to provide financial support. Doctors recommended Ross procedure. The advantage of this procedure is that the valve grows with the child, reducing the need for future surgeries and long-term medication. As a foundation working for children, we stepped in to offer the financial support his family couldn’t afford. Jignesh underwent the Ross procedure at our partner hospital in Coimbatore with the help of our institutional donor. He now has the chance to enjoy a healthy, active childhood without repeated procedures.
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