Thanks to Flamengo’s place in the Libertadores final, the 7-year-old Red and Black overcomes a serious heart problem

Between the machines, the doctors and the transplant that insisted on not hitting, the turning point came in the semi-final against Racing in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Andre Fabiano da Rosa, a believer in the power of football, decided to watch the match with his son inside the intensive care unit at Sao Luiz Itaim Hospital, in Sao Paulo, at the maximum volume allowed.

Numb, Davey showed no reaction at the moment. But the next day, the first beats of the new heart came. There was a greater risk because one of the members had already gone into cardiac arrest and because the boy needed help from machines so that his body could function.

– His parents have great faith, and his father said to me: “Doctor, I will raise the level of the game to the highest level and his heart will respond.” Coincidence or not, on Thursday (the day after the match), he started to recover, on Friday, he improved well, and on Saturday, we removed the aid after a week – says Rede D’Or cardiovascular surgeon Leonardo Miana.

Daffy was a boy full of energy, but a virus sounded the alarm. After visits to several doctors, the discovery was made that would change everything: his heart was very weak. Myocarditis was suspected, but after the transfer, the diagnosis came back: dilated cardiomyopathy. The condition was so serious that his kidneys and liver had already begun to fail. David needed urgent help.

Technology kept the boy alive

To keep the boy alive, doctors turned to technology: a ventricular assist device, a pump that temporarily replaces the heart. The transplant was necessary and urgent.

Twelve days later, news arrived: the heart was available. It wasn’t the ideal organ — the donor suffered a 30-minute cardiac arrest — but it still represented the only real chance. The family accepted. The long surgery was successful. But, finally, when everyone expected to hear the first beat of the new heart, silence fell. The organ did not pulse.

The second “artificial heart” entered the scene. This time, it’s ECMO – a machine that takes over the functions of the heart and lungs by pumping blood and supplying oxygen outside the body. Doctors knew that most hearts regain a beating within four days. But days passed… and nothing happened.

This is where the passion of David and his father entered the story. The first beat of the transplanted heart hours after Fla’s sensational qualification for the final was a last-minute goal. Just over 10 days after the transplant, Duffy was brought out of anesthesia and woke up for the first time with a new heart.

The hospital contacted the club and told the story. The boy received statements from his idols. Leo Pereira, Rossi, Eric Polgar and Pedro recorded videos.

– He was very happy and surprised. “This made me want to get well and play football again,” said mother Wandressa da Rosa.