Dast2Dast

This is the story, unfortunately true, of a young, bright man, whose future is uncertain.

Behzad was born with a complex congenital heart defect. As a result of this defect, the muscle in his heart is dilated and will not property squeeze his heart. The lifesaving treatment required for this condition is not available in Iran. When he was young, he was able to travel to the United States to have surgery. He returned to Iran and, for a while was able to live a relatively normal life.

As life would have it, about two years ago, Behzad's health began to deteriorate as the complications from his again reared their head. Those conditions, dilated cariomyopathy and congestive heart failure, needed urgent treatment. Behzad was able to again travel to the United States on a B-2 visa to receive the medical treatment necessary to save his life.

Over the last two years, Behzad has been in and out of the hospital, undergoing three surgeries at All Chidren's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. When his not in the hospital, he lives with his aunt and mother in Florida. Despite his condition, while here he has completed high schook, even receiving a scholarship to attend a local community college. His condition has been temporarily stabilized through the use of a pacemaker. However, without a heart transplant, his chances of survival is not good.

Medically, Behzad is a qualified candidate to be placed on the heart transplant list. The second qualification though prevents him from getting on that list - finances. In order to be placed on the list one must be able to present a financial plan to cover medical costs associated with the transplant procedure. These costs include the heart donation, surgery and post-surgery rejection medication.

The last chapters of Behzad's story have yet to be written. Can you help Children of Persia write that last chapter so that the story can end "He lived happily ever after"? Make this tale a story of courage, perseverance and accomplishment, not a tragedy.

Children of Persia and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants have joined forces to assist Behzad. But they need your financial help to fill the pages of the next chapter. Please make a donation to complete that financial plan and get Behzad the heart he needs.

Reach into your heart and deliver a heart to Behzad.

Please send your donation to Children of Persia/Heart for Behzad via:

• Online donation: Children of Persia




• Donation directly to a designated bank account for Behzad:
  Bank of America
  Account number: 003938686849
  Routing number: 026009593
  Swift code: BOFAUS3N




• Donation directly to the Hospital:
  Shands Health Care
  Attn: Beverly Varshovi
  Box 100314
  Gainesville, FL 32610-0314
  Checks payable to: SEHF - Children of Persia




• Donation directly to the designated hospital account for Behzad:
  Account Name: Children of Persia
  Wachovia Banck, Account # 2550