April 2010
Medical Mission To El Salvador | Photos
Last month, I returned from my second medical mission to El Salvador. Unlike my previous trip, this mission was about inspiring the elite Salvadorians to take action in their own country. I had the opportunity to visit private high schools and communicate the importance of giving back. I relayed different methods of fundraising to benefit the Salvadorian children in need of heart care. The enthusiasm and commitment I received was unbelievable. I am thrilled to establish a club that will support my efforts in El Salvador.
Another experience that made this trip unique was visiting homes of the children who were scheduled for operation. It was a heart wrenching experience visiting an orphanage of teenage girls who were raped and had their own children. I met Marta, a 12-year-old mother who would soon be receiving her life saving surgery. Our team visited an orphanage where I spent quality time with Sara, a child whose surgery I funded and witnessed at the last mission. Prior to her corrective heart surgery, Sara was lethargic and often out of breath. When I saw her this time, she ran up to me with a smile and hugged me tightly. I could not believe how vibrant and happy she looked.
One of my favorite experiences was watching my father tend to the necessary dental treatment of the Salvadorian children, prior to their heart surgeries. My father took off four days of work in order to help the children that I so deeply cared about. It feels incredible to have been able to watch my father and share the experience of the charity I am so passionate about.
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September 2009
Medical Mission To El Salvador | Photos
 Me and Jocelyn Hidalgo - the first child whose surgery I funded. |
 Jocelyn Hidalgo posing for a Music for Heart newsletter. |
 In the Hidalgo's adobe-tin house with Jocelyn. |
 Here I am with Megan Harrison, another Music for Heart volunteer, and Dr. Armani, the head surgeon at Yeshiva University. Dr. Armani donates two weeks of his year to helping the underprivileged and performing open-heart surgery. |
 Inside the room where open-heart surgery was performed. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to witness this miracle! |
 Surgical Room |
 Dominica and I were coloring just before she was taken in to surgery. She was such a sweet girl! |
 Megan and I helped the families in the waiting room by keeping them distracted and talking to them. |
 Megan and I found Salvadorian girls who were the same age as us. |
 This is me holding baby Sarah. I also funded her surgery. |
 Megan and I in the operating room. |
 Dr. Armani and I just before surgery. |
 Megan and I fell in love with Jocelyn! |
 Jocelyn and me |
 Here Megan and I are with another nurse while she holds baby Sarah. |
 Megan, Jocelyn and me |
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