Isabella Hope was born with a complex congenital heart defect. Her diagnosis includes Double inlet left ventricle and Hypoplastic right heart. Essentially, Bella was born with half of a heart. She has endured 3 open heart surgeries at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The surgeries enable her left ventricle to complete the tasks of her entire heart. In addition, Bella suffered a stroke at birth and had two pleural effusions that required long hospital stays.
Today, Isabella takes gymnastics, loves to read and ride her bike. Isabella is supported by her amazing cousins, friends and family. Isabella lives with a single ventricle. When she was born there were only a handful of children who survived into adulthood. Through research and advancements such as the Single Ventricle Survivorship program Isabella and others like her will be able to grow up receiving the care they need.