Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation North America Rallies Columbus for Completion of Congenital Heart Hospital for Children

By Imran Malik

Columbus Chapter of Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation North America, PCHFNA signs off high for this year’s campaign to support building a Congenital Heart Hospital for the children of Pakistan.

As the host families and all the volunteers, young and adults, wrap up the rooms and hallways at the Bob Crane Facility, Upper Arlington, and finished the post event cleanup, there was joy and exciting smiles on all faces. The event was a full house with guests and cricket lovers from all parts of Ohio that represented diverse multiethnic support of Pakistanis, Bengalis, Indians, Turkish, Nigerians, Somalians and Arab community members.

For most part, the attractions were the cricket celebrities Waqar Younis and Misbahul Haq. However, the core presence resonated with the calling and the cause, to support the completion of the first and only congenital heart hospital for the children’s of Pakistan.

Columbus, Ohio was the last stop for the campaign this year with expectations to really step up to the occasion and to no surprise the generosity of the cricket fraternity, surpassed all expectations when the fundraiser closed at $250,000 mark. This was a warm testament of the passion and care of so many attendees who genuinely bring service conviction into action through the intentional work of philanthropy of paying it forward.

The brand ambassadors have worked hard in continuously raising awareness and promoting inclusive engagements in multiple countries around the world on this journey of care and service for the children.

PCHFNA is a cause that naturally gravitates with many hearts who care, for children.

“We all cannot do everything under the sun, but we can all do our parts and especially what’s within our abilities and capacities.  Every step and every penny counts when the focus is to save the life, especially that of a child,” said Atifa Malik, the local PCHFNA chapter collaborator from Dublin, Ohio.

“The journey of PCHFNA is the story of one person who despite all odds against him and after losing his own daughter to congenital heart disease at age of two, took upon himself to build a facility for the entire nation’s children. It reminds me of the famous quote of Theodor Seuss Geisel known as Dr. Seuss: “To the world, you may be one person but to one person you may be the world”, said Malik.

“The realization of this hospital shows how hard work and determination can make things possible; all it needs is believing in oneself and taking the first steps.”

“The PCHFNA supporting families are thankful to Mr. Farhan Ahmed and Dr. Ali Zaidi for leading this effort and making so many of us a small part of this intrinsic initiative.”

Syed G Husain said, “it was an absolute honor to be a part of this incredible event. Witnessing the Columbus community come together to raise vital funds for such a noble cause was deeply moving.

“As a physician, I know firsthand the shattering weight of a congenital heart disease diagnosis. Given the lack of expertise and necessary technology, far too many children born in Pakistan with these conditions never reach adulthood resulting in a heartbreaking loss of potential and unimaginable pain for their parents. What this organization is doing is both unique and profoundly commendable.

“I am incredibly proud to belong to a community that rallied so quickly to generate these crucial funds. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Malik family and the other host families for organizing such a successful evening. I am filled with hope that the generosity shown today will save precious lives, offering these children a bright, healthy future.”

Also, Syed Sabbar Abbas noted that, “PCHFNA’s work is very close to my heart. Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation North America supports children born with congenital heart disease by helping them access treatment, raising awareness, and supporting training and specialized cardiac care in Pakistan. Its vision that no child with congenital heart disease should be left untreated is a cause I deeply believe in.

“I’m especially proud to support this work because PCHFNA is led by my dear friend, Dr. Ali Zaidi, whom I’ve known for more than 15 years. He serves as the foundation’s chairman and president. He is a professor at Mount Sinai and a highly accomplished cardiologist specializing in congenital heart disease, with training in both pediatric cardiology and adult cardiovascular disease.

“I’m grateful to stand behind Dr. Zaidi and PCHFNA in their efforts to help children and families facing the challenges of heart disease.”

Kashif and Taqdees Khan attended the PCHFNA event, and this was their first time ever hearing about this hospital. Their own daughter has congenital heart disease (CHD) and was blessed to have her surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) at the age of 1, they went home to share what they learned with their daughter who is now 15 years old and a freshman at Upper Arlington HS and she was inspired to share her experience and journey:

Sumsara Khan, 9th grade student said, “Living with a heart defect has given me a personal understanding of what it is like to need specialized medical care and to have doctors closely monitor your heart and health. Going through that experience has shown me how important it is for every person with a heart condition to have access to the care they need, regardless of where they live or what resources they have. Knowing how much medical care can impact someone’s life has inspired me to become a cardiothoracic surgeon and help other patients facing similar challenges. I want to use my future career to give people the opportunity to receive life-changing heart care and feel supported throughout their journey”.

“Dr. Haque wholeheartedly supports the mission of having a hospital dedicated to the management of children with congenital heart disease. This noble cause needs all of our support, as this gives new life to patients who would not have survived without intervention for their congenital heart disease soon after birth. This is a great and noble cause to donate to. We should feel blessed that we have this opportunity to help build an institution and hospital that will be an ongoing asset to so many deserving patients and families. This is an act of continuous Charity towards humanity so please donate generously to save a life now and many lives in the future, said Dr. Malika Haque, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ambulatory Pediatrics.

Ali Ajam said “It’s a wonderful pursuit and charity, what could be more gratifying than being able to contribute to a hospital that changes children’s lives and trajectories. What adds to the inspiration personally is how many of my friends are so uniquely involved in this charity and are working so selflessly and tirelessly to ensure that it continues to thrive.”

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