When Love Isn’t Enough: Diego’s Rescue Story

The moment Nayeli first laid eyes on her newborn son, she knew something was terribly wrong. Fear instantly settled into her young heart. 

Little Diego was born with a cystic hygroma, a rare growth on his neck that made swallowing and eating difficult. And in rural El Salvador, a condition like this can be a death sentence. He could not breastfeed. He struggled to gain weight. And in their remote village outside Chalchuapa, finding the care he so urgently needed was nearly impossible. 

Still, the young single mother did everything she could. She tried to feed him drop by drop. She searched for anyone who could help. But Diego was growing weaker every day. When she managed to reach a doctor for an evaluation, the news was devastating: Diego wasn’t strong enough for the surgery that could save his life. Without proper nutrition and continued medical care, she would lose her son. 

Nayeli loved her baby fiercely, but her love alone couldn’t save him. 

When your compassion met Nayeli’s love, together, they rescued Diego. 

Just when Nayeli felt like she had run out of options—and time—you stepped in with critical, lifesaving support. Through your generosity and Advance Community’s partnership with the Materna Foundation’s Emergency Aid program in El Salvador, this mother and child received:  

• Lactation support and a breast pump to help Nayeli navigate her son’s feeding challenges; 

• Specialized formula to nourish Diego when breastfeeding alone wasn’t enough; 

• Nutritious food so Nayeli could stay strong enough to care for her baby; 

• Safe transportation to reach the doctors who could save his life; 

• Ongoing medical care to help Diego gain the strength he’ll need for life-saving surgery.  

For this small family, your support was the turning point. 

Today, Diego is gaining weight. His doctors are hopeful. And Nayeli now sees her baby growing stronger, one feeding at a time. With each pound he gains, Diego moves closer to the operation that will change his life…and Nayeli’s fear eases into hope. 

You made that possible. Your selfless gift helped rescue a mother and her child from the edge of crisis and gave them a future filled with life, health, and possibility. 

Thank you for being part of Diego’s rescue. Right now, there are more families like his around the world, still waiting for hope. Your compassion has the power to reach them and remind them they are not alone…they are not forgotten.