Youngest Hero: Baby’s Eyes Give the Gift of Sight to a 9-Year-Old Girl
YOUNGEST HERO – The eyes of a deceased baby named Aniela with a rare condition has been donated to a 9-year-old child.
Recently, the Asian Hospital and Medical Center shared the touching story of “Baby Aniela,” a little girl born with a rare condition called anencephaly, where parts of the brain and skull do not fully develop.
Despite knowing that their daughter’s life would be brief, her mother, Karina, chose to make a selfless and life-changing decision. Karina decided to donate her baby’s eyes to help another child see the world.
That precious gift went to Nikki, a 9-year-old girl who had been blind since birth due to congenital glaucoma. Because of Baby Aniela’s corneal donation, Nikki was finally able to see it.
“Through Aniela’s corneal donation, Nikki gained the precious gift of sight. Today, nine-year-old Nikki is a bright, cheerful child who sees, learns, and explores the world with wonder — all because of the vision Aniela gave her,” Asian Hospital said.
As of this writing, Nikki is a bright and cheerful child who enjoys learning, exploring, and seeing the world for the very first time. Her parents expressed gratitude to Baby Aniela’s family and the doctors who made the transplant possible, saying they will forever be thankful for the second chance given to their daughter.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa kanila (Aniela’s Family), pangalawa sa mga doktor at syempre sa Asian Hospital. Sobrang thankful namin!” Nikki’s father, Clod Manalo said.
The hospital described Baby Aniela as the youngest organ donor in the Philippines, a symbol of hope, generosity, and love. Her short but meaningful life continues to inspire many people, showing that even a few hours of life can create a lasting impact.