Three-year-old Refael ben Hodaya was born with a heart full of holes. At just a few months old, he endured open-heart surgery. The surgery succeeded - but his battle was far from over.
Six months ago, tragedy struck again. A vicious virus attacked his fragile heart, leaving Refael fighting for his life. For six terrifying days, his parents stood helpless as doctors placed him on an ECMO machine - a device that completely replaced his heart and lungs because Refael could no longer breathe or pump blood on his own.
Click here to help fund Refael's lifesaving heart transplant
On August 11, doctors made a critical decision: they implanted Refael with a Berlin Heart ventricular assist device (VAD) - an artificial heart that is keeping him alive today.
But the Berlin Heart is not a permanent solution. It can only sustain Refael for a few months. Time is running out, and Refael has only one chance at survival: a real heart transplant.
Refael is on Israel's heart transplant waiting list, but in such a small country, child-sized donor hearts are extremely rare. Doctors have confirmed the heartbreaking reality: a matching heart will most likely not be found in Israel in time to save Refael's life.
Click here to send Refael to Houston
Refael's only hope is to fly to Houston, Texas, for urgent transplant surgery. With a much larger population than Israel, the United States offers Refael his best - and perhaps only - chance of finding a matching heart in time.
But the cost is staggering: $120,000 for transportation, medical care, and the transplant surgery itself.
For an Israeli family with six children, already drained by months of medical expenses, this sum is impossible. Without help, they cannot save their son.
Click here to help save Refael's life.
Refael's parents are pleading for help. Every day that passes brings him closer to the edge. Every dollar donated brings him one step closer to Houston - and one step closer to the heart that will save his life.
With a successful transplant, Refael can live a full and normal life. He can grow up, go to school, play with his siblings, and chase his dreams. But without it, his parents will lose him.
Time is not on Refael's side. But you can give him the gift of time.
Click here now to send Refael to Houston. His life depends on it.