25/08/2026
I had the privilege of meeting Belen Blanton in Washington, DC, at the 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery 2023. Belen was a strong advocate for CHD in Venezuela. Belen so kindly allowed BLHSA to share her CHD colouring-in books in Cape Town, South Africa, which put smiles on many CHD patients' faces during the toughest time in their lives. Her legacy will continue here in Cape Town through these colouring-in books.
Remembering Belen Altuve Blanton
July 22 1965 - August 24, 2026
Some of you may already have heard the heartbreaking news that our beloved Belen Blanton has died following a stroke, after several days in the ICU with complications related to her heart and kidneys.
Belen was loved by everyone who knew her. She was positive, vibrant, beautiful, generous, and endlessly selfless. She never took for granted the gift of life she had been given—and from an early age, she made it her mission to give back to the congenital heart disease (CHD) community.
Born with tricuspid atresia in Venezuela in 1961, Belen was born at a time and in a place where lifesaving heart surgery was not available. Thankfully, her family was able to travel to the United States, where she received the surgery and lifelong medical care that gave her the opportunity to live.
And live she did. Belen built a happy, productive, deeply loved life—far beyond what anyone might have expected given the challenges she faced.
For more than six decades, she devoted herself to helping others. Through her nonprofit, Fundacion Estrellita de Belén Corp, she worked tirelessly to provide cardiac care to children from low-income families in Venezuela. She was also a cherished member of the Global ARCH family, serving as a board member and ambassador and lending her voice to countless awareness and advocacy initiatives—including speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in 2023.
Belen endured countless heart surgeries, hospitalizations, and difficult days with extraordinary grace, courage, and humour. Yet somehow, she always brought joy into the room. Her cheerful, sing-song voice, infectious positivity, fabulous outfits, and ever-changing nail polish will forever be part of how we remember her—even during the moments when it was clear how hard she was struggling to breathe.
Belen showed us what it means to turn a life saved into a life dedicated to saving and improving the lives of others.
Belen, we love you. You will always be a shining star in our Global ARCH family, and your light will continue to inspire the CHD community around the world. ⭐️❤️
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly: https://youtu.be/5o7r0Mj7tq0?si=RvotkO2S6PrnBMlL
Belen AltuveBlanton
