The Gabriel Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children dying of heart disease from Third World countries where such surgery is not possible. Below are some of our recipients we have brought to the United States for surgery. Eleven-month-old Raison Santana is our 13th recipient and had surgery in September 2005. Raison came to us from Santa Domingo-Dominion Republic. Thank you all for your support both financially and personally. We could not do it without you!


LOCAL SCENE UPDATE
The Gabriel Project is excited to report that we were able to help three local families this holiday season: two families had medical needs with children suffering from luekemia and spina bifida and the third family had no food for the holidays. Thanks to all of you and your continued support, The Gabriel Project was able to donate funds to these three needy local families. Thank you!


RAISON SANTANA UPDATE
After a 5 month stay, little Raison, who celebrated his 1st birthday with us, developed 10 teeth, walked for the first time, and spoke for the first time, finally went home. After 4 major surgeries, his health was declared excellent and he and mom went home December 9th to reunite with husband, Freddy, and son, Frederico, and daughter, Katiana. Raison will be watched for the next year, but no complications are expected. Tears flowed from the nursing staff as they waved good-bye to this miracle boy and more tears came at the airport as host family mom, Debbie Albano, bid farewell to her "adopted" family and as founder, Mark Melamed, said good-bye to the longest child to stay here in the U.S. under the Gabriel Project. See "Santa Raison" below to see how well he looked before leaving the U.S.!