Lifesaving Nitric Oxide Fund To Reduce Pulmonary Hypertension In addition to being a by-product of cigarette smoke and rush hour traffic, nitric oxide is used in pediatric intensive care. The inner lining of blood vessels uses nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscle to relax, thereby increasing blood flow. By dilating the veins there is less blood returned to the heart, thereby decreasing the heart's work. We've been using this frequently after surgery with our kids and it has been critical to our lifesaving work. Please give today to ensure that these surgeries are not in vain - that we are able to deal with both the cause and the effects of congenital heart disease in these dear Iraqi children. Molecule of the Year (1992) - Nitric Oxide

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Jeremy Courtney Co-Founder, President Preemptive Love Coalition (Twitter: @jeremy_courtney)

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Sara getting stronger

October 30, 2008 by Jeremy 

Sara continues to heal and gain back her strength following her heart surgery on October 15th and then an infection. Her father remains vigilant by her side, coaching her to eat more and take the right precautions in her recovery. On Monday they removed her IV medication and the doctors made plans to release her from the hospital on Tuesday. On Thursday she returned to the hospital just for an echocardiogram and checkup. Her heart looks great and they are reducing her medication as she is so improved. Sara, normally a more quiet and reserved girl, has been brought out of her shell during her recovery by games of UNO with fellow patients and volunteers. It’s amazing to see how these children are really transformed by this whole experience and given a new chance to be fully who they were made to be.

On a bit of a sad note, I wanted to follow up with you all about Hevi. Last Friday Hevi and her family decided finally to not go through with the heart surgery which would have put Hevi’s life so much as risk. Following 4 months of waiting and testing and consultations, this has been a very hard experience for that family. On Sunday Hevi and her mother began their journey to return to Iraq. Having made the decision to not have the surgery, Hevi and her mother actually seemed relieved and ready to return home. Hevi has learned better how to live with her weakened heart and how that will affect her future. We hope all the best for Hevi and her family and are glad to have been part of her

life in this time.

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future.

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