HEARTGIFT.

Help Change a Child’s Life Forever!

Be part of Saint Williams Host team as we welcome a child to the United States for life saving heart surgery.

What is a host team?

Members of Saint Williams are needed to take on the opportunity to help save a child’s life by hosting a child and their caregiver while they visit the United States for heart surgery that is not available in their home country. By way of the local non-profit organization HeartGift, children around the world will be coming to the Austin area on a monthly basis for heart surgeries. HeartGift was formed by cardio thoracic  and vascular surgeons of Austin due to the increased amount of requests received annually from families from war torn and third world countries that do not have access to adequate medical care.

How can I get involved?

Host a child and caregiver- families are needed to open their homes to the child and their homes to the child and their caregiver during their stay before and after surgery. The average stay before and after surgery. The average stay is 3-4 weeks.

Cook a Meal

Bring a meal to help out the host family with mealtime.

Visit the Hospital

The child and caregiver will be a long way from home during a stressful time with no family or friends. a visit from a smiling face will help comfort the caregiver while in the hospital.

Give a ride to a Doctor’s appointment

The child will have medical appointments before and after surgery, transportation to the doctor will not take much time out of the day and will help ease the burden of the host family.

Interpreters Needed

If you are bilingual you are a much-needed resources. Interpreters will be needed at medical appointments, day of surgery and throughout their stay with the host family. If you cannot make a medical appointment, but are available by phone in case of communication roadblocks or just to allow the caregiver an opportunity to visit with someone of the same language. We have a job for you.

Help secure needed clothing items.

Most patient will be of humble backgrounds and will arrive with very few changes of clothes. Securing needed clothing items for the child and caregiver will help make their stay more comfortable.

Donate to HeartGift

The cost for each child’s medical expenses, travel arrangement and incidentals incurred throughout their stay will cost an average of $ 30,000. HeartGift is funded solely by donations from the public.

To become a part of the Saint Williams host team. Please call Gloria Marrufo Parish Social Ministry  ( 512) 255-4888 or email gmarrufo [at] saintwilliams [dot] org