Congenital Heart Defects Information

Milestone: 1 to 100 – in 10 Years Flat!

by drmani on January 29, 2013

Like you, I’ve heard these quotes – and many more like it.

“Little drops make the mighty ocean.”

“Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.”

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

But it takes something special before you really “get” it in a visceral sense. Today, that special something happened to me.

I performed a heart operation. It was the 100th surgery sponsored by the Dr.Mani Children Heart Foundation, a non-profit I set up in 2003.

And thinking back to that day, ten years ago, those quotes all come to life in a very real, very deep, very meaningful way.

In 2003, I decided to try and fund heart surgery for one child from an under-privileged family – and see how things evolved from there. At the time, I had no guarantees, no promises, no plans even.

But I had dreams. Hopes. Passion.

Little did I know that they were enough. Enough to drag me, prod me, push me, nag me, drive me, excite me, energize me, scare me, and motivate me to keep going for 3,650 days and nights.

Until, today, I can look back with awe and amazement at a milestone – 100 operations funded and sponsored from that fledgling venture that was launched on a wish and a prayer!

Alongside me on the long journey were a remarkable assortment of people from around the world, from all walks of life, of all ages, religions, personalities, statuses. They all share in the credit of our accomplishment today.

Today, we hit 100.

100 children helped.

100 lives touched.

100 hearts healed.

Our work has just begun. And the words of Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” echo in my ears.

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”

Still, I’ll pause for a minute. Look back on the achievement. Relish a moment of pure delight and thrill at what’s done.

Then, with your blessing, support and encouragement, I’ll re-commit myself to another 100 heart operations.

I’ll push myself to make this happen sooner.

I’ll look forward to your ongoing presence by my side, on the next phase of this exciting journey to touch and change a child’s life.

And then, many more.

Thank you from my heart for the first 100. And for what’s to come.

Dr.Mani
Chairman
The Dr.Mani Children Heart Foundation

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