The International Perfusion Association (IPA) is launching a new mission trip to Loja, Ecuador, to provide life-saving cardiac surgeries to patients in desperate need.
Consider this reality: In Ecuador, where the average income is just $560.00 a month, the cost of a critical heart surgery, like a mitral valve replacement, can exceed $10,000. This staggering sum includes everything from the valve itself to essential surgical supplies — often expired or re-sterilized due to severe financial constraints. For most, this places life-saving surgery beyond reach, leaving nine out of ten patients without a chance at survival.
The consequences are profound and far-reaching. Many of these patients are young, the backbone of their families, bearing both the economic and emotional burden of illness. The limited number of surgeries performed also restricts the development of our dedicated healthcare teams, trapping them in a cycle of inadequate training and experience. This can lead to suboptimal patient outcomes, low team morale, and diminished support for these vital missions.
But there is hope, and you can be part of it.
In 2025, we embark on our most ambitious mission yet, scheduled for June 14-21. For the first time, the International Perfusion Association will host a surgical team from San Antonio, led by Dr. Lacy Harville, to perform cardiac surgeries at Hospital Clínica San Agustín in Loja, Ecuador. However, financial challenges remain significant. Beyond covering travel and lodging for our team, we urgently need additional equipment and materials locally. Our vision extends further: we aim to provide home-monitoring devices for INR to patients with mechanical prosthetic implants — a critical need for the majority.
This is where your generosity makes a difference. Every donation, big or small, fuels this life-saving mission. Together, we can eliminate barriers, enhance local expertise, and, most importantly, save lives.
Join us in this noble cause. Empower a heart, save a life. Your support is more than a donation; it’s a heartbeat for Ecuador.
Official websites:
International Perfusion Association: https://iperfusion.org
Online Donation Link: Make Donation – International Perfusion Association
Contact Info: Phone: 888-707-0010 / Email: [email protected]
