Our Impact
August 2026 - 9 Lives Transformed in Jordan Thanks to YOU! ❤️
Every child deserves a healthy heart and a full, happy life—and because of your kindness, nine children just received that precious gift.
We are so deeply moved to share this video from Gift of Life International following their medical training mission to Jordan in August. Thanks to this incredible effort, nine courageous little ones—six from Gaza, two from Jordan, and one from Algeria—underwent life-saving heart procedures.
To everyone who attended, donated, and poured their hearts into our Healing Little Hearts Gala this past spring: this is your impact. You gave these children a second chance, relieved nine terrified families of unimaginable worry, and gave them back their little ones' futures.
Thank you for being the reason nine young hearts are beating strong today.
Watch the powerful update here:
June 2026 - 9-Year-Old Maria Jose Gets a Second Chance at Life!
We're thrilled to share an incredible story that truly showcases the power of Rotary and the Gift of Life program!
Meet 9-year-old Maria Jose Torres from Honduras. Maria Jose was born with a 5cm hole in her heart, a condition that Honduran doctors lacked the ability to fix. Thanks to the unwavering support of Gift of Life Long Island, Maria Jose and her courageous mother, Karen, were flown to the United States for life-saving surgery.
Maria Jose underwent a successful procedure at St. Francis Hospital, performed by the skilled Dr. Sean Levchuk, and we're overjoyed to report that the hole in her heart is now fixed! She's smiling today because her heart is healed!
This heartwarming journey, from Honduras to healing, was made possible by the incredible generosity, compassion, and commitment of Rotarians. From their arrival in June 2026, including visits to the Rotary Clubs of Amityville and Islip, to the moment her heart was healed on July 2, 2026, Rotary's spirit of service shone brightly.
Maria Jose now has the chance to live a long, healthy, and happy life, all because Rotarians believe in making a difference, one little heart at a time. This is what 'Service Above Self' looks like!
THANK YOU, ROTARIANS, for your unwavering dedication to changing lives and healing little hearts around the world. You truly make the world brighter!
Also, thank you to Paul and Annette Scallon, for hosting Maria Jose and Karen during their medical visit to the United States. Also, thank you to Dennis Ciano, Merri Ciano, Steven Catalano, and Bob Nathan for all that you do to make this possible!
May 2026 - Rotary's Gift of Life: Global Kindness Saves Sheyla's Heart
The long journey from Honduras found its hopeful conclusion on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as 13-year-old Sheyla José and her mother, Maria José, stepped into the bustling expanse of Newark Airport. For Sheyla, every breath had become a silent struggle, a poignant reminder of the rare and debilitating condition that caused her heart to leak blood into her lungs, threatening to steal her future. But today, a new chapter was beginning.
Cutting through the exhaustion of travel, two warm smiles greeted them. Bob Nathan and Dennis Ciano, dedicated Board Members of Gift of Life Long Island and Rotarians, extended a welcoming hand. A camera captured the moment: Maria José, Sheyla, and Rotarian Dennis Ciano, a tableau of hope and anticipation. This extraordinary journey, from a small village in Honduras to the heart of the United States, had been meticulously arranged by Rotary Gift of Life International in conjunction with Gift of Life Long Island. Their mission: to provide Sheyla with the pediatric micro-surgery that promised to mend her delicate heart.
The warmth of their reception continued as Sheyla and Maria José settled into their temporary home with the kind-hearted host family, Steve and Martha Catalano. Just a few days later, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, they were honored guests at the Rotary Club of Islip General Membership Meeting. Amidst a room full of supportive faces, Sheyla, her initial shyness slowly giving way to comfort, stood between Steven Catalano, her mother Maria Jose, and the ever-present, reassuring figure of Bob Nathan. It was a powerful display of community, a testament to the collective effort to give Sheyla a new lease on life.
The most crucial day arrived swiftly: May 6, 2026. Once again, Bob Nathan was there, his steadfast presence a comfort as he transported Sheyla and Maria José to St. Francis Hospital. A quiet bravery masked the profound anxiety etched on Sheyla’s young face. She had confided to her mother, through tears, that she "did not want to go on living with the way she felt in her body." Today, thanks to the tireless efforts of Gift of Life Long Island, that feeling was about to change.
In front of the imposing yet hopeful façade of St. Francis Hospital, Maria José embraced Sheyla, a final photograph capturing the solemn promise of the morning. Inside, waiting for them was Dr. Sean Levchuk, the renowned pediatric surgeon who would perform the delicate procedure. Dr. Levchuk, a true healer, had generously offered his expertise ‘pro bono,’ a gift as vital as any other, understanding the profound impact this surgery would have.
Hours later, the waiting room door opened, and Dr. Levchuk’s smile was the first sign. He approached Maria José and Sheyla, who was now awake and groggy but filled with a new lightness. “The procedure was a complete success,” he announced, his voice brimming with professional satisfaction and genuine warmth. “We have successfully fixed Sheyla’s heart!” A wave of relief, profound and pure, washed over them. No longer would her heart leak, no longer would every breath be a struggle.
To commemorate this life-altering moment, Dr. Levchuk paused for a photo with Sheyla and her beaming mother, a picture of gratitude and newfound hope. Sheyla’s journey from Honduras to Long Island was more than just a medical trip; it was a testament to human kindness, global cooperation, and the power of a shared vision to save a life. With a mended heart and a future stretching brightly before her, Sheyla José was ready to breathe deeply and live fully, a vibrant testament to the Gift of Life.
A special thank you to Pamela Greene of the Sayville Rotary Club for hosting Sheyla and Maria Jose for a few days, providing invaluable comfort and support during their stay
October 2025 - Celebrating 8 Lives Saved in El Salvador Thanks to YOU! ❤️
In October 2025, the Gift of Life International team returned to Benjamin Bloom Children’s Hospital in El Salvador for another life-changing medical mission.
I am incredibly proud to share that during this single week, eight young Salvadoran hearts were healed through successful surgeries.
The Power of Your Support:
This mission was made possible by the incredible generosity of our community. The funding for these life-saving procedures was raised during the 2025 Gift of Life Long Island Healing Little Hearts Gala. Your contributions directly translated into second chances for these children and their families.
Mission Highlights:
The Legacy of Care: Since becoming a legacy program in 2018, the local team now provides consistent, reliable care for over 200 children annually.
A Regional Leader:
Benjamin Bloom Hospital’s pediatric cardiac program has grown into one of the most prolific in all of Central America.
Collaboration in Action: This success is only possible through our strong partnerships with Benjamin Bloom Hospital, Latidos de Esperanza, and our incredible global partners.
Watch the full visit report here:
July 2022 - Polina's New Beat: From War-Torn Ukraine to a Healthy Heart on Long Island
Thanks to the compassionate work of the nonprofit Gift of Life, Polina and her mother, Kateryna, were flown to the U.S. for life-changing treatment. This past Wednesday, Polina underwent a minimally invasive procedure at Catholic Health St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center. The surgery was particularly meaningful for Dr. Sean Levchuck, Chair of Pediatric Cardiology, who is of Ukrainian descent, and marked the first Gift of Life procedure at St. Francis since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Levchuck explained the urgency, noting that without intervention, Polina faced growth issues in her teenage years and serious heart problems as an adult.
Now, just days after the procedure, Polina radiates joy. "I am better," she affirmed, looking forward to dancing and running like any other nine-year-old. She'll have a follow-up appointment next week and is expected to get the green light to fully resume her active life. Polina and Kateryna will remain in New York for the rest of the month, where they’ve been welcomed by their host, Annie Caputo. Annie, a Ukrainian volunteer, has made their stay unforgettable with trips to the Statue of Liberty, Legoland, and even a surprise visit from an ice cream truck – moments of pure childhood joy for Polina.
"It feels like a dream! I am happy, I’m very happy," said Polina's mother, Kateryna, witnessing her daughter's transformation. Polina's journey is a powerful testament to the Gift of Life's mission, uniting medical expertise with profound human kindness to give children like Polina the chance for a full, healthy life.
Watch the Fox 5 New York coverage of this story by clicking the link below:
9-year-old Ukrainian girl receives life-saving heart surgery on Long Island | FOX 5 New York
Nine-year-old Polina Shchepaniak arrived on Long Island with a heart that doctors said was "9 going on 90." Born with a congenital heart defect – a hole between the two upper chambers – Polina's life in Ukraine was limited by constant fatigue and shortness of breath. Her much-needed surgery was indefinitely postponed when war erupted, making vital medical care impossible in her homeland.
