Collier County deputy’s newborn fights for her life with rare heart condition

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Rhythm Ramos. Credit: Ramos family.

A family’s newborn daughter was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, leaving the family desperately trying to save her life.

Rhythm Ramos, at just three weeks old found herself fighting for her life. Within the past seven days she has had two open heart surgeries.

Diane Sullivan owns the building where Rhythm’s mother, Melody Ramos, owns a coffee shop called Bean to Cup Coffee Lounge, at 3248 Bayshore Drive in Naples.

Sullivan said, “Just about a week ago we were here having coffee. I was holding the baby that

Rhythm Ramos. Credit: Ramos family.

day Melody had to take the baby for a routine pediatric visit.”

That’s when Collier County Deputy Dean Ramos and his wife Melody were flown to Miami for their daughter’s emergency surgery.

Rhythm has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a rare condition that affects 1 out of every 5,000 newborns.

The left side of the heart doesn’t close up after birth, posing a high risk of death.

Sullivan wanted to do something for the people that became family to her and started a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses.

“For 23 years he’s been out there protecting us and looking out for us and isn’t it nice to be able to get something back,” Sullivan said.

The doctors said, if Rhythm didn’t have her doctor’s visit when she did she may not have made it.

The Bayshore Arts and Business Association is hosting a fundraiser at the coffee shop on May 18, in hopes of raising more money for the family.

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