Little girl in need of life-saving heart surgery

A FAMILY is desperately trying to raise R5 million by the end of this month for life-saving heart surgery for Kyleigh Milana Kista.

Kyleigh, who will turn 4 in a few weeks, is due to undergo heart surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital in the US.

The little girl from Benoni in Gauteng needs the surgery by no later than March as one of two of her collateral arteries, which keep her alive, has narrowed severely.

The family have turned to crowdfunding through Backabuddy to raise the money.

Kyleigh’s mother, Serina, said Kyleigh was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect at birth.

“I had a normal pregnancy. It was 30 minutes after she was born that she turned blue and was later diagnosed. Her condition is known as tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, VSD and Mapcas. This condition was first described by her cardiothoracic surgeon as a monster in her chest.

“She does not have a valve that connects the heart to the lungs. She has a large hole in her heart. Over the last three years she has had open heart surgeries,” said Serina.

She said due to her condition Kyleigh has reduced oxygen levels.

Serina said after doctors attempted nine surgical procedures on Kyleigh since birth, surgeons in South Africa suggested a transplant.

“I then contacted a lady who explained on the heart group of going to Boston. I went onto the Boston website and sent an email to a doctor requesting him to review Kyleigh’s case. I sent all her information via post and the doctors looked at her case.

“A surgeon from Boston contacted us to say they could repair Kyleigh’s heart and that she didn’t need a heart or lung transplant, but it needs to be done by March,” said Serina.

She said they have thus far raised R3.5 million and need to get another R1.5 million.

“This is just for surgery and does not cover the cost of flights, medication or post-operative care. We have to get her there by March and have to start the payment process at the end of January.

“We are pleading for help to save our child. The surgery is urgent and without it, our little girl will never get the chance to grow up and have a normal, happy, healthy life,” said Serina.

Serina said they were told that Kyleigh would have developmental delays.

“But from an intellectual perspective she has never shown that. She speaks well, knows nursery rhymes, can draw and teach herself colours,” said Serina.

Serina, a manager for a pharmaceutical company, said her two older children were also born with complications.

“My eldest son was born with a bilateral hernia and had to undergo surgery at five weeks. My second child was born prematurely. She also had a hole in her heart and during delivery her arm was broken. But that hole closed. And thankfully the other two are well now,” said Serina.