Bosnian Children Recover in Ann Arbor after Life-Saving Surgery

Samaritan's Purse
Wednesday, 3 October 2001

University of Michigan Health System's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Teams Up with International Relief Organization Samaritan's Purse for Medical Miracle

Two children from Bosnia with serious heart defects may not know the magnitude of the gift they just received, but what their families know is that on Friday, Oct. 12, their children will return to their homeland with a second chance to live normal, healthy lives.

Today, 20-month-old Adelisa Kaplan and 12-month-old Elma Alihehic are recovering from the life-saving heart surgery they received last week at the University of Michigan Health System's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Elma was discharged from the hospital yesterday, Oct. 2. She and Adelisa, who was discharged on Oct. 1, will be staying with a local host family in Ann Arbor until they are strong enough to return to their homeland.

The children were brought from Bosnia to Ann Arbor, Mich., courtesy of Samaritan's Purse, the international Christian relief organization led by Franklin Graham, son of Rev. Billy Graham, and are scheduled to leave Ann Arbor, Mich., for their homeland on Friday, Oct. 12.

Samaritan's Purse handled travel logistics for the children, their mothers, and an interpreter; paid all travel expenses; and arranged for Grace Bible Church and a local family to host the children during their recovery period in the United States. The last time children were brought to Ann Arbor, Mich. was September 1999.

The Samaritan's Purse Children's Heart Project identifies children with life-threatening heart disease in countries that lack technology and training, and matches them with surgeons and hospitals in the United States that are willing to donate their time and services.

Since the program started in 1997 in response to a critical need in Bosnia, the Samaritan's Purse Children's Heart Project has brought more than 120 children to the United States for life-saving heart treatment. In addition to medical care, Samaritan's Purse provides state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and training for doctors overseas. The machines enable doctors in those countries to better diagnose defects, identify candidates for surgery, and ensure that the children are matched with the proper specialists in the U.S.

For more information, or to contact Samaritan's Purse, see their website at: www.samaritanspurse.org