Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Monday, October 17, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers, in conjunction with The Virginia Group of Northwestern Mutual, are pleased to team up with Richmond-based World Pediatric Project, alongside HCA Health System and Commonwealth Chapel to create a life-saving and life-changing opportunity for a teenage boy from the small island of Grenada.
Rapheal suffered from a complex, potentially fatal condition called Rheumatic Heart Fever. It badly damaged his heart and prevented him from running and playing like other teenagers.
Caused by untreated strep throat, this condition would have been quickly caught or prevented in the United States. Like in most developing countries, however, the expertise and resources necessary to diagnose and treat Rheumatic Heart Fever are unavailable in Grenada.
Fortunately, an organization exists to help children like Raphael. World Pediatric Project arranged for him and his mom Michelle to travel to CJW Medical Center – Chippenham, to receive life-saving care under WPP pediatric volunteer Dr. James Zocco who generously accepted the case. Commonwealth Chapel in Richmond raised money to help make this possible.
Due to the complicated nature of Raphael’s condition, Raphael’s treatment required many weeks of intensive care before and after corrective surgery. This was quite a difficult time for Raphael and his mom, but made easier by the kindness and support of the WPP staff, volunteers, and, most importantly, CJW Medical Center’s dedicated and caring team of doctors and nurses.
After months of slow recovery, Raphael was finally discharged from the hospital last week. The journey to health had been a long one, and Raphael was slow to smile or laugh until a surprise 18th birthday celebration. To Raphael’s astonishment, Richmond Kickers professional player, Stanley Nyazamba, and Kickeroo attended the party to present Raphael with a special Kickers jersey. A huge soccer fan, Raphael couldn’t hide a huge grin, smiling for the first time following his long journey to health.
Raphael and Michelle will soon return to Grenada, lives forever changed by the HCA Health System, the Richmond Kickers and WPP. Raphael is growing stronger everyday, and looks forward to returning home to finish school and get back in touch with his friends and play soccer.
Richmond Kickers and The Virginia Group of Northwestern Mutual share a mission of giving back to the Richmond community, through the support of the World Pediatric Project, which helps to heal and save the lives of children from developing countries.