Lion Heart Foundation

23/01/2026

The entire month of January is filled with Our Most Beautiful Memories with Our Jude 🤍

January 2025 was the first and last that we had him home with us for a full month.

Here’s a snippet of what life at home was like.
Safe in my Dadda’s arms while He sings to Me a song of the Man that sent Me.

We long for You, Our Precious Baby.
You are Forever in Our Hearts, On Our Minds and on our lips.
We talk about you every single day, about our memories shared, how big you would’ve been ‘a toddler’ Mama, and what you would have been like. What our days would have looked like.

And though Our hearts find It extremely diffcult to accept Our reality;
Dad and I consider ourselves so blessed to have an Angel to Guard Us every step of the way.

Forever Our Jude 🤍

25/11/2025

Jeandre Mapaling is a 30-year-old registered nurse and devoted mom to her precious son, Jude Mapaling, who courageously fought congenital heart disease (CHD) until he earned his angel wings at just 5 months old. 😔

Born on 21 November 2024, little Jude entered the world with Pulmonary Valve Stenosis and an Atrial Septal Defect, arriving in respiratory distress. At 3 months old he underwent open-heart surgery and amazed everyone with his remarkable recovery, but the months spent on a ventilator took a heavy toll on his tiny lungs, ultimately placing too much strain on his brave heart. 🪽

For the entire five months they were able to hold him, Jeandre, her husband and their family lived in and out of hospital wards.

In loving memory of Jude and to keep his legacy shining brightly, Jeandre and her husband handed out soft toys and care packs to bring comfort to the children at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

Jude’s light continues to shine through every pack, every smile, and every family supported. 🩵

Lion Heart Foundation 🌷

25/11/2025

Here’s My Story 🤍

Let’s create Awareness!
Please like and Share,

There might be a parent currently in the same position that could draw Hope and Strength from Our Journey ❤️

19/11/2025

Lion Heart foundation Donation Drive Preparation in Full Swing 😁🥹

As we Prepare for the Donation Drive on Friday, we would like to take a moment to thank Each and Everyone for Their Donations; Your kindness and generosity have been truly overwhelming.

Each contribution that was made is a reflection of the love, respect, and admiration so many have for Our Jude. Your support not only celebrates his life and legacy, but also helps us continue the meaningful work that embodies the strength, compassion, and courage he inspired in others.

Thank you for standing with us, for giving so selflessly, and for helping carry Jude’s light forward. Your generosity is going to make a real difference in the lives of little fighters and we are profoundly grateful.
With heartfelt appreciation,

The Lion Heart Foundation Team

23/10/2025

Thank You to all who has donated thus far, we are extremely grateful to each and everyone.

We are still far from our goal but we’re making so much progress and for that we are so thankful.

In Honour of Jude Mapaling
Lion Heart Foundation – Baby Donation Drive

With hearts full of love, we invite you to join us in honouring the memory of Jude Mapaling through the Lion Heart Foundation's Baby Donation Drive.

Jude’s life, though brief, has left a lasting impact—a reminder of courage, love, and the strength of a lion’s heart. In his honour, we are collecting baby essentials to support families and newborns who need a helping hand.

Your donations—whether it’s diapers, baby clothing, toys, wipes, or other newborn necessities—will go directly to vulnerable families, offering hope and comfort during their most tender moments.

Let’s turn love into action and continue Jude’s legacy by giving other little ones a stronger, warmer start in life.

Donation Details:
📍 134 Lavis Drive, Bishop Lavis, 7490
📞 068 242 1901

Thank you for standing with us, for remembering Jude, and for helping us share his lion-hearted love with others.
—
Lion Heart Foundation
In loving memory of Jude Mapaling

21/10/2025

21 November 🤍 Forever 5 months, hands forever this tiny, Heart forever Whole.

06/10/2025

In Honour of Jude Mapaling
Lion Heart Foundation – Baby Donation Drive

With hearts full of love, we invite you to join us in honouring the memory of Jude Mapaling through the Lion Heart Foundation's Baby Donation Drive.

Jude’s life, though brief, has left a lasting impact—a reminder of courage, love, and the strength of a lion’s heart. In his honour, we are collecting baby essentials to support families and newborns who need a helping hand.

Your donations—whether it’s diapers, baby clothing, toys, wipes, or other newborn necessities—will go directly to vulnerable families, offering hope and comfort during their most tender moments.

Let’s turn love into action and continue Jude’s legacy by giving other little ones a stronger, warmer start in life.

Donation Details:
📍 134 Lavis Drive, Bishop Lavis, 7490
📞 068 242 1901

Thank you for standing with us, for remembering Jude, and for helping us share his lion-hearted love with others.
—
Lion Heart Foundation
In loving memory of Jude Mapaling

30/09/2025

The 29th of September is World Heart Day!

A day dedicated to commemorate All Heart Warriors those still fighting and those who has lost their battle.

There are various heart conditions and all of ours aren’t necessarily the same but We share similar symptoms.

Jude had an Atrial Septal Defect (a Hole in the centre of his heart) and Pulmonary Valve Stenosis.

Signs in Our Boy that we noticed
*Poor weight gain
*Fatigue during feeding
* Breathing difficulties (fast breathing with accessory muscles)
* Cyanotic (Blue/purple tongue, Blue/Purple like face when crying, blue/purple hands and feet at times. )

Medically Doctors noticed
Including the above, A heart murmur that they heard with the stethoscope.
Fluid retention
And Heart failure, that lead to his tragic passing.

Jude was on a long list of medications that his mom administered on the clock, from his anti-failures such as lasix, spriractin and lanoxin to his vitamins and immune boosters. About 12 syringes of medicine for the day for such a small little baby, but He took It all like A Champ, like the Lion he was.

And this is only a brief overview of life with a heart warrior.

We wish we had more time with Our Little Lion, and we would do every day shared all over again for You our Jude.

So whether You are A Heart Warrior, Raising a Heart Warrior or Mourning a Heart Warrior.

You are Stronger than You Know!

25/09/2025

Snippets of some of Our Fondest Memories shared with Our Baby in Hospital, recovering from his open heart surgery full of smiles while His favourite entertains him 🥹❤️

Daddy says “tell them I’m ready to go home” and Jude smiles not knowing that Home wouldn’t be with His parents but His Eternal Home with Our Abba Father.

Enduring pain that no baby his age should, Still Jude smiled. Though every breath he took might have been a bit more difficult than the one before He laughed, looking in Our eyes; Ours filled with so much Hope and His with so much Love.

We Miss You So so much Jude, there’s not a day that goes by that we don’t think of You and Long to Hold You.

Our Forever Love ❤️
Jude Lion Mapaling ❤️

15/09/2025

Support our Family Care Project ❤️

The Family Care Project is dedicated to supporting the social work department in meeting the emergency material needs of vulnerable patients and families. This includes providing clean clothing, underwear, nappies, hygiene products, nutritional support, and transport funds for treatment visits or emergency placements.

Your donation helps these families in dire need, offering food, travel support and essential items to restore dignity, especially for those who’ve lost everything in fires or face extended stays.

Donate today to provide unconditional care and support: www.childrenshospitaltrust.org.za or email audrey.jason@chtrust.org.za