Emelda (Valeria's mother) holds a sleeping 10-month-old Valeria during a press conference with the First Lady of Honduras on the steps of the presidential palace.

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Kim never expected her simple prayer request to bring together world class surgeons, Operation Blessing and the First Lady of Honduras to help save an infant's life. But it did.

The U.S. history teacher, who teaches at a private bilingual high school in Honduras, asked her class to pray for an infant who was fighting for her life. Baby Valeria was born with Hirschsprung's disease – a rare congenital abnormality that prevents the colon and intestines from functioning normally.

The disease occurs one out of every 5,000 births, however in Valeria's case, she developed enterocolitis – or severe inflammation of the intestine – which shot the odds up to nearly one in 50,000 and a survival rate of less than one year.

"Emelda has a 5-year-old daughter Daniella and she had no health problems, so it was really a shock when Valeria was born with all these problems," said Kim, a longtime friend of Emelda, Valeria's mother.

Fortunately, a unique string of events was about to unfold that would help baby Valeria beat the odds.

OBI President Bill Horan (third from left) meets with First Lady Xiomara Castro de Zelaya.

"The mom of one of my students works for the office of the First Lady, so we immediately filled out paperwork to appeal for help with their humanitarian medical affairs office," Kim said.

Weeks later, Operation Blessing President Bill Horan was on-site in Honduras' capital city to officially launch a nationwide anti-parasite treatment program with the First Lady. After conducting the first treatment and educational program at a local elementary school, Horan and team met with the First Lady, Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, at the presidential palace.

Earlier that morning, the First Lady had been personally briefed about Valeria's case, and shared her story with Horan as an example of the large-scale medical needs in Honduras and the lack of available healthcare for specialized cases such as Valeria's.

When it comes to specialized health care and being a world leader in medical education and research, Horan knew exactly who to call.

Valeria eyes her passport as she prepares to make her first visit to the U.S. for surgery at the prestigious Mayo Clinic of Minnesota.

Within minutes, Valeria's medical records were faxed to the Department of Family Medicine at the Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic, the world's largest integrated, not-for-profit group medical practice.

Earlier last year, Operation Blessing formed a partnership with Mayo Clinic, who sent a medical team to volunteer at a week-long OBI-sponsored event offering free health care for victims devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Following the success of that event, Mayo Clinic made a 5-month commitment to continue sending volunteer medical teams to work at OBI's free medical clinic and pharmacy in New Orleans.

"I couldn't make any promises that they would take the case, but I did promise to pass along the info to our friends at Mayo and see what could be done for Valeria," Horan said.

The answer came back yes – and with it – the answer to Kim's prayers, hope for a mother, and the start of an incredible journey for baby Valeria.

Next week...Saving Baby Valeria – part 2: Mayo surgeons perform surgery on 10-month-old Valeria

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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