Miracle for Baby Mateo

Online, March 28, 2010 (Newswire.com) - On October 5, 2009 Mateo Sebastain Paredes was born on 10/05/09 with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a condition in which only the right side of his heart developed. Only 1 in 10,000 children are born with this condition. In the days following, this brave little soul who has affectionately been dubbed "Super Mateo" began his fight for life.

Mateo had open heart surgery on 10/08/09 for HLHS and to attach the Pulmonary Veins to his heart but, has continued to face set-backs. Over the past few months, Mateo and his family; mother Jeanette, father Jonathan and sisters Marielena and Britney, anxiously awaited and prayed for a heart transplant for this young child. The family moved their entire life to the hospital to be with Mateo and affectionately termed themselves Team Mateo! Mateo was finally moved to the (CCU) Cardiac Care Unit from the CICU where they awaited a heart for Mateo. Unfortunately, Mateo had a stroke while waiting for his new heart, the doctors telling the family Mateo is now blind and suggesting he be sent home, the doctors uncertain of his future.

All the Paredes Family has asked for is the prayer and hopes of their friends, families and community. However, all too often stories like Mateo's are overshadowed by the bigger issues and organizations, which leave families like The Paredes to struggle in trying to reach out to people who can make a difference. This is why telling their story is vital not only to the recognition of HLSH but for people to realize even though the world is getting bigger, the focus still needs to be on those in our communities and lives, because without the growing strength and love The Paredes have been shown over the past few months, Mateo may not be where he is today.

Despite the skepticism of many of his doctors, Mateo continues to beat the odds each day! This past week, Mateo had a echo and chest xray to determine how his pulmonary veins and heart are now functioning. This in itself is a small victory for the family who at one point believed Mateo may never get to see his home or his bedroom.

You can watch Mateo's story on one true media:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=9c17863716f78e16712a9a&skin_id=601

A benefit dinner for The Paredes Family will be held on Friday, April 16, 2010 at The Washington Club in Penns Grove, NJ. The evening will include a Spaghetti Dinner, DJ dancing and the Silent Auction. The money raised from this event and auction will help ease the financial stress that no family should have to bear. But, with your help, we can offer the family continued strength, hope and time for Mateo by lessening their financial burdens and allowing them every precious moment possible with their son.

The benefit organizaers are asking businesses, organization, teams, celebrities and groups to contribute gift donations such as autographed items, gift baskets, gift certificates, event tickets of any size and/or amount. If you are able to make a contribution to this event, please contact me prior to April 10, 2010.

You can read The Paredes Family Story in issues of Gloucester County Times and The Sunbeam, as well as seeing the benefit listed on 92.5 WXTU Philadelphia website!

More information about Baby Mateo and the benefit, you may the event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=342651517474&ref=mf

The event details are as follows:

"Paredes Benefit Dinner"
Dinner, dancing & Silent/Chinese Auction
at the Washington Club
~ $25 for adults ~ $10 for kids~
April 16, 2009 ~ 6-10 pm
72 N. Virginia Avenue, Penns Grove, NJ 08070
For additional info on this event, follow the link below
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=342651517474

Donations can be made to "Miracle For Mateo Paredes" at any Salem County, New Jersey branch of "The Bank".

If you would like to schedule an interview and/or would like more information about Mateo and The Paredes Family, please contact:

Ashley Tabeling
Donation/Publicity Coordinator
Paredes Family Benefit
Phone: 856-834-4656
Email: [email protected]