Our Story

Shortly before Labor Day 2019, Leslee had an ultrasound that revealed her and Miguel’s unborn daughter, Gabriela, had a severe congenital heart defect. Her condition, diagnosed as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), meant that the left side of Gabriela's heart (the side which pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body) was severely underdeveloped. In later appointments, Miguel and Leslee would learn that HLHS, if left untreated, is fatal....

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Gabriela Yustiz

Martinsburg, WV

Transplant Type: Heart

Transplant Status: Transplanted

Goal: $50,000.00

Raised: $69,208 of $50,000 goal

Raised by 129 contributors

Updates

Ela Update: March Cath Results

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Ela’s cath went well! We don’t have rejection biopsies results back yet, but from what the doctors her heart is looking good. Her heart pressures are still not... Continue Reading »

Ela Update: Cath Tuesday 3/18

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Hi everyone! Quick update to let you know that Ela and I (Leslee) are back in Philly for appointments this week with a heart cath on Tuesday to... Continue Reading »

Sepsis Update: Out of Hospital

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Ela was discharged from hospital on Tuesday! We are staying at the Gift of Life House until next Tuesday. She has 3 appointments in the coming days and... Continue Reading »

Sepsis: Hospital Admission, Day 6

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Surgery update… Went well. They did a wash out and didn’t need to do the interventions that they thought they needed to. Praise the Lord! They also took... Continue Reading »

Sepsis: Hospital Admission, Day 5.

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Ela is going into surgery today. We aren’t quite sure when yet but likely sometime in the afternoon. Although Ela’s inflammatory markers are down, the theory is that... Continue Reading »

Sepsis: Hospital Admission

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February 2025 There are very few things that overwhelm me. Sure, from time to time the Lord has a day planned where it feels like there is a... Continue Reading »

New Year!

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Although a tough 2024, Ela wrapped it up by getting to spend Christmas at home with her family, playing in ways she never had been physically able to... Continue Reading »

The Goodness of God/Home for Christmas

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There is no containing Ela’s excitement! Miguel and Josiah are coming to help us pack today and tomorrow (Friday) we will make our way back home! Her medical... Continue Reading »

100 Days Post-Transplant and Homeward Bound Soon!

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Wow. Two years ago around this time, we were officially told by multiple medical teams that Ela would need a transplant sooner than later. One year ago around... Continue Reading »