What We Do:
Gift of Life Belize provides sustained in-country pediatric cardiac screening clinics every six months; arranges and supports access to surgical intervention when required as a possible option for a child’s condition.
Providing access to lifesaving cardiac care for the children of Belize.
With a population of less than 500,000, tertiary level care in Belize is still limited. Pediatric Open-heart surgery remains in the distant future. While multiple children today need and deserve the services, 90% of the population could not afford Pediatric Cardiac Surgery with a minimum wage structure of approximately $1.75 U.S. per hour. Most of the population is heavily dependent on Socialized Medicine.
The Rotary Club of Belize pioneered Pediatric Cardiac response by sending our first case in 1977. Since then we have expanded our network by joining the movement of Gift of Life International.
For over 40 years of service, we have been able to provide hundreds of Belize’s children with a better quality of life, thanks to proper diagnoses and treatment. The Gift of Life program depends on the support of generous people like you. Please consider making a pledge today and make a difference tomorrow!
Gift of Life Belize provides sustained in-country pediatric cardiac screening clinics every six months; arranges and supports access to surgical intervention when required as a possible option for a child’s condition.
Congenital Heart Defect affects 1 out of every 115 to 150 births. Belizeans are born in a country that cannot provide them with the needed treatment. Gift of Life Belize makes every effort to bring medical care and hope to these children and their families, healing little hearts who otherwise would not receive treatment.
We care for children of Belize from Birth to 18 years of age affected by Congenital and Acquired Heart Defects, regardless of gender, economic circumstance or culture.
Children can be assisted at any time. If it is between clinics that your child’s problem is identified we will need:
We have developed this protocol based upon the reality that many hospitals are limiting the types of conditions they are willing to accept/treat. We do not want to give false hope or heighten the expectations of parents and their children.
Gift of Life Belize will work with partners and hospitals both regionally and in the USA to place a child in the right care. Our goal is to ensure the fairest evaluation process and provide parents and children with the most realistic expectations once they submit the necessary information to us.
Note: When attending Clinics parent should bring along all medical notes, prescriptions and medications currently available for your child.
To begin your referral process please call us at +501-610-3890 or email us at giftoflifebelize@gmail.com.
The Gift of Life Belize Program cannot survive on funding alone. There is a dedicated network of individuals and organizations who donate their time, resources, and expertise to help our young patients. We also have organizations who sponsor the program through monetary and material donations.
News coverage of the urgent needs of Gift of Life patients and their success stories not only help the program raise funds and awareness of the program but also serve to update the public about how our young patients are doing. When a news story airs on the radio, TV, or newspaper, support and prayers come in from all over the country.
For more updates, visit our Facebook page!