Mend-a-Broken-Heart gives PDA patients hope

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By Mariela Angella Oladive

When Rema Ipedro looks back at the early years of her daughter’s illness, what haunts her most is not only the pain, but the uncertainty.

For years, she quietly carried the burden of watching her child struggle while lacking both answers and the means to seek them.

Like many low-income families, the Ipedros’ daily expenses were limited to food, transportation and other basic needs.

“If you are a household with limited income, medical expenses don’t even enter your mind,” Rema said in the vernacular.

Her daughter, Erich Grace, was 2 years old when the first signs of illness appeared.

“Her feet swelled, but I didn’t take it seriously because it responded to antibiotics, so I thought it was normal,” she recalled.

It was not until Erich turned 7 — when she could no longer walk on her own — that doctors determined she had a hole in the heart, a condition known as patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA.

PDA is a congenital heart defect in which a blood vessel that normally closes shortly after birth remains open, placing extra strain on the heart and lungs.

The diagnosis came at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when strict quarantine protocols further complicated access to treatment.

“That was during the pandemic, so once you entered the hospital, you could no longer go out, and it was difficult for me because I was the only one allowed inside while my family struggled to get us the things we needed,” Rema said.

After being discharged, Erich was treated at home with prescribed medication, but her condition did not improve.

The swelling and pain persisted, and she remained unable to walk without assistance.

“As a mother, it was painful to see my child in that situation,” Rema said.

The situation placed additional strain on the family, as her husband could not cover all the medical needs and relatives who initially helped were unable to continue providing financial support.

The family eventually sought care at several hospitals, including Western Visayas Medical Center, where doctors found the prolonged condition had caused Erich’s heart to enlarge, a complication later managed through treatment.

Physicians said, however, that the defect itself still required corrective intervention.

Medical specialists later helped the family secure sponsors and offered a device-based procedure to close the opening at no cost, requiring only completion of necessary documentation.

Rema initially hesitated after hearing negative feedback and fears that the procedure might be unsafe.

Faced with limited options and escalating medical needs, she decided to proceed.

With the help of doctors and sponsors, the family completed the documentation, and on March 7, 2025, 10-year-old Erich underwent a successful procedure to close the defect.

Now a Grade 5 pupil, Erich is living a life that once felt out of reach.

“Before, even walking a short distance made me tired right away, and after the operation, I felt much better,” she said.

“Now, I can walk from our place in Bakhaw, Mandurriao, all the way to Sunset Boulevard,” she added.

Erich and her mother expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo and the Rotary Club of Jung Ulsan in South Korea for their partnership in the Mend a Broken Heart initiative.

They also thanked Western Visayas Medical Center for providing free medical services throughout the procedure.

Erich is one of hundreds of children assisted through Mend a Broken Heart, the flagship humanitarian project of the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo that began in 2006 with just one patient.

According to past president and program manager Raf Certeza, the initiative focuses on children diagnosed with congenital heart disease, particularly PDA.

“Through sponsorships, we provide the PDA closure device, while the actual surgery — including pre- and post-operative care — is provided free of charge by Western Visayas Medical Center,” Certeza said during a Jan. 30 press conference marking the program’s 20th year.

Each device costs between PHP 70,000 and PHP 80,000, but negotiations with suppliers allow Rotary to reduce the cost to about PHP 60,000 per patient.

Without the program, the full procedure would normally cost families up to PHP 300,000 or more.

Patients are medically screened by WVMC to ensure they are fit for surgery.

Indigency status is verified through the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure assistance reaches those most in need.

The initiative has assisted patients ranging from less than 1 year old to 21 years old, although children remain the priority.

Organizers say that beyond free procedures, the program also raises awareness about the importance of early detection of congenital heart disease.

Many symptoms — such as fatigue, swelling and difficulty walking — are often mistaken for minor illnesses, delaying diagnosis and treatment.

“The earlier the condition is detected, the greater the chance of preventing complications and lifelong disability,” Certeza said.

A key pillar of the program is its international partnership with the Rotary Club of Jung Ulsan in South Korea.

Rotary Club of Jung Ulsan President Lee Chanyong said traveling to Iloilo is physically demanding, requiring multiple flights, long stopovers and hours of waiting.

“Honestly speaking, it’s really hard for us, but the moment we arrive and see those children’s eyes, the mothers and the fathers appreciating us — that’s the reason why we keep coming back,” Lee said.

The partnership between the two Rotary clubs spans more than a decade, beginning with school supply drives before evolving into medical missions.

As of 2024, Mend a Broken Heart has helped more than 300 children nationwide.

For the 2025–2026 cycle, the program has 46 confirmed recipients, with beneficiary numbers largely dependent on the availability of Rotary Global Grants and private sponsors.

On Nov. 28, 2025, the project’s nearly two decades of service earned global recognition after it won first place at the Genting Rotary Institute Project Showcase Competition in Malaysia, besting 18 entries from across Southeast Asia.

For Rema and Erich, however, awards matter far less than everyday victories.

From a child who once could not walk to one who now moves forward with confidence, Erich’s story shows what becomes possible when compassion is matched with action.

The Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo continues to invite partners and benefactors to support the initiative, aiming to ensure that no child’s life is cut short because a family cannot afford life-saving heart treatment.