Two Western New York teens are transforming the life of a four-year-old Pakistani boy suffering from two holes in his heart, a condition caused be a ventricular septal defect and an atrial septal defect.

Sajad Dad's family was victimized by the earthquake that shattered the lives of Pakistani people two years ago. With their few provisions spent rebuilding their straw huts and nearly no funds for holistic care, the Dad family was far from capable of treating Sajad's condition. This four-year-old was in a critical state until he was discovered by Sahoor Khan, 18,and Jenny Zhang, 17, two girls with a passion for helping those in need.

Khan and Zhang founded the Children's Heart Awareness Project, or C.H.A.P., in February 2007 upon hearing news of Sajad's urgent need for help. On May 31, 2007, they plan to lead hundreds of residents of the Buffalo, New York community in the first annual C.H.A.P. Nightto fund Sajad's cardiac surgery.

"I've always had a passion for volunteering and helping people less fortunate who are in need of medical attention," said Sahoor Khan, 18, Co-Founder of the Children's Heart Awareness Project. "When we heard about Sajad, we knew we had to help somehow." Khan plans to be apediatric cardiologist and has dedicated many years to raising large sums for those in need, including being one of the organizers ofa benefit in 2006 that raised $300,000 toward relief for victims of the 2005 Pakistani earthquake, the same one that destroyed Sajad's family.

"C.H.A.P. Night not only aims to sponsor Sajad's surgery but to raise awareness of the plight of other children in Third World countries like him," said Jenny Zhang, 17, Co-Founder of the Children's Heart Awareness Project. "The lack of pediatric cardiology and its awareness is devastating to the population and future of these countries, where the demand for medical attention is high, but the resources are low. The goal of C.H.A.P. is to take the first steps toward addressing these issues, beginning with the exposure one little boy's tragic story and showing the public how they can help."

C.H.A.P. Night will be held at the University at Buffalo Student Union Theater on May 31, 2007. Attendees include prominent medical professors, cardiologists, pharmacists, and community members. Dr. Hashmat Ashraf, M.D., Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Kaleida Health will make a key note address, followed by entertainment featuring a variety of Southeast Asian cultural performances. Local restaurant Kabab & Curry will cater the event. For information on how to reserve seats or contribute to C.H.A.P., email jenny.h.zhang@gmail.com.

"Weare very grateful for the wonderful support of our sponsors,"said Khan. C.H.A.P. Night is being sponsored by Kabab & Curry, Cardiology of Niagara, the Buffalo Heart Group, and the University at Buffalo Bangladeshi Student Association.

Zhang added, "We have just launched C.H.A.P. this month and are already being met with success. We are delighted to see the community's response to our cause, and we see vast opportunities for C.H.A.P's expansion in the near future."