NEW ORLEANS — The most common type of birth defect happens to the heart. And here in the U.S. surgeons are skilled at fixing them, but in many third world countries that is not even an option.

So, people here are opening their hearts to give parents new hope.

For a decade now, we've shown you the tears of joy from parents. They are parents who have come from around the world with children born with a heart defect that eventually would cut their lives short, but who leave with children cured.

Friday HeartGift celebrated the 100th child who will return home completely healed.

“I feel so so happy and I often time will think, and I say, ‘Oh thank you God.’ It brings me to tears,” said Winiefred Benoit in French through a translator.

Mom Winiefred Benoit who came with her 2-year-old Birlen

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