During a 20-week routine ultrasound check-up, Ilana learned that her baby, Ezra, may have some complications at birth and was referred to a specialist for a more thorough scan. While visiting the specialist, Ilana received the heartbreaking news that her baby was suffering from three different congenital heart defects.

Ezra was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defect. In short, the arteries coming out of his heart were backwards, sufficient blood was unable to pump to his lungs, and he had a hole in his heart.

“Each of those defects alone are life-threatening and need to be repaired… all of them together, that’s a big problem,” said Redmond Burke, MD, Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute.

Moments after birth, Ezra and his father, Marc, boarded a LifeFlight helicopter and were airlifted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for life-saving surgery while Ilana recovered post-labor.

Thanks to the care of Dr. Burke and his team at the Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute, Ezra has undergone two successful heart surgeries to correct the anomalies. He will require continuous care and an additional surgery once his heart grows, and Nicklaus Children’s will be there every step of the way!

Support Ezra, and more heart warriors like him, by making a donation today!