{
  "id": 2046099,
  "title": "5-year-old Mikayla needs help to mend her heart",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/5-year-old-mikayla-needs-help-to-mend-her-heart-2046099",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-19T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/08/20/5-year-old-mikayla-needs-help-to-mend-her-heart"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mikayla, a vibrant and cheerful five-year-old from Pahang, was born with two congenital heart defects: patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and atrial septal defect (ASD). She underwent a successful procedure in 2021 to close the PDA, but a recent examination revealed that the ASD had grown considerably, reaching 18mm in size and that her heart was beginning to enlarge. As a result, Mikayla is set to undergo open-heart surgery on August 25, assuming there are no complications. Her parents, who earn less than RM2,000 a month, are seeking financial assistance to cover the RM60,000 cost of the surgery. The CCEP Foundation, with the help of Yvonne Lee, has managed to raise RM30,000 towards the fund, leaving RM16,000 still needed. The surgery's success is crucial to prevent serious complications, such as pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. Mikayla's parents wish for her to grow up without restrictions, attend school without her heart condition being a worry, and enjoy the freedoms of childhood. To contribute to the cause, donations can be made directly to the CCEP Foundation at RHB Bank account 2621 9300 009 342, using the reference 'Mikayla'.",
  "summary": "Pahang girl is due for surgery on Aug 25, with about RM16,000 still needed for treatment costs.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "5-year-old Mikayla needs help to mend her heart",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/5-year-old-mikayla-needs-help-to-mend-her-heart",
        "published": "2026-08-19T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}