Hello, I am what you would call a special patient at DEBORAH. I have been going to DEBORAH since I was born. I took my first steps at the hospital – walking toward the head nurse!

Dr. Browning performed my open-heart surgery to repair my VSD. The doctors and nurses at this hospital have always been the best. There is no comparison to any other hospital. Through the years I have returned for regular checkups and catheterizations.

Recently I was evaluated in the sleep clinic for sleep apnea. All I can say is thanks for being there for me! So many people have been helped by this hospital and doctors. The “Care Hospital” is what I tell everyone who asks.

Kevin Friedman

I was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome when I was born. I took medication for16 years. I remember I was rushed to the hospital often; it started to be something normal in my life.

In 1998 I remember my mother said to me that soon I’d get a procedure done, and I did – at DEBORAH. I would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and the rest of the staff. Thanks to all of them I have a better life!

Michelle Cazares

When my husband and I found out that our precious baby needed corrective open-heart surgery, it was one of the saddest days of our lives. She was born with an ASD, basically a hole in her heart. On April 23, 1997, her talented surgical team performed the operation.

The care and love that she received during the surgery and her recovery was "heartfelt." My husband and our infant son and I stayed at a housing facility there on the grounds of DEBORAH. After two days, Julia was allowed out of bed briefly to go to the playroom. My husband and I were barely holding on emotionally, when she tripped and fell flat on her chest and the raw stitches. All the emotions and tension came out and I started to sob uncontrollably.

A nurse took me in her arms and comforted me for what seemed like hours. She has no idea, to this day, what that beautiful act of love and kindness meant to me. Assuring me the whole time that Julia was fine. Now, more then 10 years later, our precious baby Julia recently celebrated her 15th birthday. It was her wish to take up a collection on behalf of DEBORAH Heart and Lung, in lieu of any gifts. Not a day goes by, that we have not given thanks to God and to all the talented and dedicated staff there at DEBORAH. Our many "heartfelt" thanks.

The Morales Family

Nauman Shahid recently celebrated this holiday season at his house, in Virginia, with his parents, brother and sister. What makes this holiday season special, like every year, is that over 21 years ago, Nauman and his family came to the United States from Pakistan, so he could undergo open-heart surgery to correct a life-threatening congenital heart defect at the DEBORAH Heart and Lung Center, in Browns Mills, NJ.

“We didn't think Nauman would even make it to his second birthday. Now, Nauman is a normal healthy, very active and intelligent, young man.” Nauman was sponsored through DEBORAH's Children of the World® Program. This program, established in 1972, has helped hundreds of children from more than 53 countries with congenital and acquired heart defects.

When Nauman was just a few months old, his parents began to notice that their son's complexion was blue and that he was often short of breath. Doctors soon discovered that Nauman had a congenital heart defect. He was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital defect in which a hole in the lower wall of the heart forces the aorta to receive blood from both the right and left ventricles, when normally it only receives oxygen-fresh blood from the left ventricle. Left untreated, it can lead to an enlarged heart and can be fatal.

Because of limited medical facilities in Pakistan and his family's restricted financial resources, Nauman’s father appealed to the Lions' Club International for assistance in bringing Nauman to the United States for treatment. Aware of the Children of the World® Program, the Lions' Club International contacted DEBORAH. Nauman was evaluated by DEBORAH's Pediatric Cardiologists who agreed with the original diagnosis and recommended surgery. Lynn B. McGrath, M.D., Chairman of Cardiothoracic Surgery, (now Vice President of Medical Affairs) successfully performed the open-heart procedure.

Today, years later, Nauman and his family want everyone to know about DEBORAH and the excellent treatment they received there. "DEBORAH made the toughest time of our lives very easy. We were exposed to quality medical care and friendly service. This 'Gift of Life' will be remembered forever," said Nauman's parents. "Nauman is a moving symbol of the humanity of the DEBORAH family."

Nauman is turning 22 years old soon, and is graduating from George Mason University this year. He is the President of the International Students Organization. He is also a volunteer at Fairfax County Fire Department (EMS). His lifetime dream is to be a Cardiologist.

"Thank God for everyone involved in taking care of Nauman and thanks to DEBORAH for caring and sharing.”

Family of Nauman Shahid