‘WE'RE SO PROUD OF OUR LITTLE FIGHTER'

These first-time parents were reeling after discovering their girl needed a new heart

- Brigid Auchettl

With smiles that would light up any room as they cuddle their beautiful daughter Aru, it’s hard to imagine the harrowing journey Smital and Kiran Patel have experienced since becoming parents.

When Aru was just six months, Smital took her to the hospital after she started breathing rapidly.

Doctors initially suspected pneumonia, but a chest X-ray found something even more frightening. Aru’s left lung had collapsed and her tiny heart was only functioning at eight per cent capacity.