When Lauren Costabile was 16 years old, a boy with Down syndrome changed the course of her life. While volunteering at a camp for children with disabilities, she encountered a love unlike anything she had experienced before.

"They just saw my heart," Lauren shared. "They just loved you unconditionally."

That encounter eventually led her to found Hearts of Joy International, a nonprofit that provides life-saving heart surgeries for children with Down syndrome in developing countries. Nearly half of children born with Down syndrome have a congenital heart defect, yet many lack access to the care they need.

Lauren's mission began with a simple act of obedience. After meeting a baby girl in Uganda who desperately needed surgery, she trusted God one step at a time. Today, Hearts of Joy not only helps children receive lifesaving medical care but also works to educate families and communities about the dignity and value of every human life.

One story still moves Lauren deeply. A young girl in the Philippines was repeatedly delayed from surgery because of abnormal blood tests. When doctors finally operated, they discovered she also had leukemia. Treating her heart first made it possible to diagnose and treat the cancer. Today she is healthy, cancer-free, and thriving.

Lauren credits Christ as the source of everything her ministry accomplishes. Daily Mass, Adoration, and the sacraments sustain her through the challenges of serving vulnerable children around the world.

She also offered encouragement to parents raising young people today: help them discover the unique gifts God has given them and remind them that He has a purpose for their lives.

Lauren's witness is a powerful reminder that when we respond generously to God's call, He can use even the smallest act of love to transform countless lives.

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