Iraqi Girl Gets Help in Music City

In a war torn country, friendships are made that could not only last a lifetime but save a life.

Major Kevin Jarrard found a 2-year old girl of a family he befriended needed a complicated, life saving surgery that couldn't be done in Iraqi facilities.

He rolled up his sleeves to help her and shortly after -- friends, family, and strangers did the same, donating money, their services and support.

“He said he befriended this family and had just fallen in love with Amenah and wanted desperately to help this child because he knew she didn't have much time left.”

Janet Jarrad says it was Amenah’s sweet face her nephew, Major Kevin Jarrad, got attached to during routine patrols in Iraq. But he'd eventually learn two year old Amenah had a congenital heart defect.

Top Vanderbilt specialist Dr. John Nadeau, who was serving in Iraq, examined the girl and suspected without surgery she could die.

Vanderbilt doctor's here in Nashville agreed to perform the open heart surgery - for free.

Jarrad's battalion raised $30,000 to help Amenah and her mother fly to Nashville.

This week, Amenah arrived in music city to meet her host family and prepare for surgery to fix a large hole in her heart -- a heart that's also backwards in her chest.

“Really everyone's just come together, and the pieces have just fit and that's what's so beautiful about it.”

World Relief’s Deanna Dolan says they stepped up to the plate and so did Grace Chapel Church.

“We're providing all of their housing while they're not in hospital, all their food and transportation. We've hired a translator that's with her 24/7.”

Pastor Steve Berger says Amenah’s mother tells him she couldn't be more grateful for the Americans who've come together to hopefully save her daughter's life.

“She was able to call home from the hospital and with great excitement in her voice she kept saying “I'm here in America, I'm here in America.””

It all started with the big heart of American soldier.

“Kevin and his unbelievable will, made the decision he'd move heaven and earth to get her here and give her this chance.”

While we're told Amenah is doing great, she still has a long road ahead. She has to recover from infections before she can undergo surgery.

There is a fund to help Amenah. You can send it to Grace Chapel, care of the Amenah Fund at 3279 Southall Rd, Franklin, TN 37064.

Pastor Berger says 100% of proceeds donated will go to Amenah's future travel expenses or unexpected expenditures.