Criston
Age: 12
Condition: Cleft Lip Revision
Criston, the fifth of eight siblings, faced a unique challenge, born with a cleft lip and an underlying heart problem inherited from her father's side. Gina, Criston's mother, initially felt shock and sadness about her condition. As Criston grew older, Gina's fear of being bullied due to her cleft led her to seek opportunities to address it at medical missions in Cebu. Unfortunately, she never qualified for screening until the 2023 Rotaplast mission.
Abounding stepped in and arranged a 2D echo for Criston, revealing a devastating diagnosis of a Large PDA and Rheumatic Heart Disease. The Pediatric Cardiology team recommended prioritizing heart surgery due to the risks. Gina was devastated, given the weight of her daughter’s heart condition. They were referred to the Let it Echo Foundation, which offers free heart surgery, but financial barriers remained.
Despite the family's financial struggles, hope came through the collaborative efforts of Abounding in Love, the Rotary Club of Cebu, Let It Echo Foundation, and Gift of Life International. Together, they made it possible for Criston to undergo successful heart surgery in Manila, giving her a second chance at a healthier life. After recovering from her heart surgery, Criston successfully underwent cleft lip surgery later in November 2023 through the Rotary Club of Cebu. The operation greatly improved her appearance and boosted her confidence.
Today, Gina hopes to further improve Criston's smile by having her cleft lip revised. Believing that an additional lip revision would enhance both the appearance and function of her daughter's lip, she continues to seek assistance through Abounding in Love. With renewed hope, Criston has been lined up for the upcoming Operation Rainbow Australia Medical Mission this August. Her family is praying that she will qualify for lip revision surgery, bringing her one step closer to complete healing and greater confidence for the future.
Note
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List Changes
Please be aware that the children enrolled in medical missions always have the possibility of changing. It is not uncommon for children to be deemed ineligible for surgery due to other health issues. If this occurs with a child you are sponsoring, we will substitute another child in their place and notify you via email.
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