An African exchange student, who recently finished off the school year at Homer High School, is about ready to face a challenge that he never imaged. During a routine physical exam this year, Nouredine Mama, from Doula, Cameroon, found out that he has a significant ventricular septal defect, which causes a heart murmur, essentially, a hole in his heart. On June 1st, the 16-year-old is scheduled to undergo open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital in Seattle to repair the hole. KBBI News Director, Daysha Eaton talks with his host mom, Ruth Mitchell, of Anchor Point, who is raising funds for the trip.
Ruth and Nouredine flew to Seattle Tuesday, May 31 and Nouredine is scheduled for surgery Wednesday, June 1. Ruth is raising funds to support their trip to Seattle and Nouredine's recovery from surgery.
The hospital has provided a full scholarship to cover surgical and hospital and friends purchased plane tickets to Seattle. The surgery will be life-changing for the 16-year-old. Without it he would have developed serious heart disease due to stress on the aortic valve and ventricles.
In addition to an Alaska USA account, where anyone can make a deposit, there is also a GoFundMe page for online donations.
