Raegan's Story

Raegan was born on May 2, 2004. She was found abandoned when she was three months old. She was very small when she was found and it was suspected that she had a possible congenital heart condition. Examinations confirmed suspicions and Raegan was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect (VSD).

VSD is a hole in the inside wall between the right and the left chambers of the heart. Because of this hole normal blood flow through the body and lungs is labored and the body often suffers a lack of oxygen being adequately supplied to the body. Many times the hole will repair itself, but often the hole requires corrective surgery.
Raegan's condition was watched closely. Raegan continued to debilitate to the point of turning blue as well as often suffering severe upper respiratory infections. When she was nine months old it was determined that surgery would be needed for her to develop. An American organization called Love Without Boundaries raised the necessary funds for Raegan to have her surgery. It was arranged for she and three other little heart patients to fly to Hangzhou to have life saving surgery.

Raegan just before surgery

Once the were on the plane Raegan began coughing very badly. The pilot on the plane refused to take off due to Raegan's condition fearing something would happen mid-flight at the airlines be held responsible. Love Without Boundaries signed a waiver freeing the airlines of any consequences should something happen. All four girls were then flown to Hangzhou where they had their much needed surgeries on February 9, 2005.

Recovery was slow and long for Raegan due to her debilitated condition going into surgery. She remained at Hangzhou hospital until sometime in March. She then returned to Shantou Social Welfare Institute. She was placed in their special care unit and place on a fortified nutrional plan.
Once at Shantou Raegan began to recover. She began to grow and develop but her growth and development have been slow due to her weakened condition. However, we are told she is healthy, happy, and "the delight of those around her."
We look forward to the day we get to meet her. We hope she's looking forward to it, too.