Campaign Story

URGENT: Save 4-Month-Old Deborah Chialuka — She Needs Life-Saving Open-Heart Surgery Now

My name is Deborah Chialuka. I am only four months old, and my tiny heart is fighting a battle it cannot win on its own.

Deborah was born on 12th September 2025 and within days of her birth, she was admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Tehila Children’s Hospital, Port Harcourt, where she was treated for hypoglycemia, jaundice, and neonatal sepsis. Just when we believed she was stabilizing, devastating news followed.

On her 9th day of life, Deborah was diagnosed with Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease, specifically Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD) and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). Further advanced investigations have since revealed additional life-threatening complications:
• Pulmonary Artery Hypertension, placing extreme pressure on her heart and lungs
• Moderate Pericardial Effusion, causing fluid to build up around her heart

These conditions are progressively weakening Deborah’s heart and severely limiting her chances of survival without immediate intervention.

Specialists have confirmed that Deborah urgently requires a Total Intracardiac Repair (Open-Heart Surgery) to correct these defects and give her a chance at life. This highly specialized surgery must be performed as soon as possible at Duchess International Hospital, Lagos.

The cost of this life-saving procedure, including surgery, intensive care, medications, and post-operative management, is approximately ₦18,000,000—an amount far beyond what her family can raise alone.

As a mother, watching your child struggle to breathe, struggle to feed, and struggle to stay alive is a pain no words can fully describe. Every day without surgery puts Deborah at greater risk. Time is not on her side.

We are pleading for your help.

Your donation—no matter the amount—can help save Deborah’s life. Your kindness can give her the chance to grow, to laugh, to take her first steps, and to live beyond infancy. If you are unable to donate, please share this campaign and keep Deborah in your prayers.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us in this fight.

Please help save Deborah Chialuka’s heart. Her life depends on it. ❤️