SELMA, Calif. — A Selma family is asking for prayers and community support as their 11-month-old daughter, Camila Chagoya, waits for a new heart.
Camila underwent emergency surgery on Monday night to receive a heart pump, which her mother says is keeping her alive while doctors closely monitor her condition.
Born with a rare heart condition, Camila’s journey has already been filled with challenges.
Monday’s surgery marked her third major operation.
Selma family seeks prayers and support as baby awaits heart transplant.
Despite everything, her mother Alyssa says Camila continues to fight for her life with a bright smile.
“We just worry that, you know, she’s not going to make another day,” her mother shared.
Camila has spent nearly her entire life at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Stanford.
She was diagnosed before birth with a severe and rare heart condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome with Shone’s complex, in which the left side of the heart is underdeveloped, making it difficult for blood to circulate properly.
She underwent her first surgery just four days after birth and spent the following six months in the hospital.
Camila was able to return home briefly for the holidays, but by January, her heart condition had worsened, and she has been hospitalized continuously since then.
“We will have to stay here, unfortunately, in the meantime, until she gets a heart,” her mother said.
The wait for a transplant could take months or even years, creating a complete lifestyle shift for Camila’s parents.
Her mother, a former medical assistant, left her job to be at Camila’s side around the clock, while her father, Jose, splits his time between his barber shop in Selma and the hospital.
“He is back and forth with that because he’s self-employed, so he can’t technically leave work for a very long time. He needs to be there,” her mother explained.
Despite the surgeries, hospital stays, and uncertainty, Camila’s smile continues to give her parents strength and hope.
Faith has also been a source of comfort for the family.
“We do pray a lot every day, every morning, every night when family comes. We have lots of prayer armies. We read our bible. We listen to worship music, and we listen to church on our phone on Sundays, and that’s really getting us by. Even playing worship music next to Camila calms her down, relaxes her,” her mother said.
To help Camila and her family, a GoFundMe page has been created to cover travel, meals, medical bills, and everyday living expenses.
The family says every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference.
They also expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported them with donations, prayers, and encouragement during this difficult time.
You can find the GoFundMe link by clicking here.
