Naples— Preventing new cases of medical malpractice and facilitating pediatric transplants: these are the goals of the foundation named after Domenico Caliendo, the two-year-old boy who died at Monaldi Hospital after a fatal heart transplant.
The mother, Patrizia Mercolino, went to the notary accompanied by her lawyer Francesco Petruzzi to begin the incorporation process. "We'll see how to better use this foundation," she explained, "but we mustn't forget that my son needed a transplant. No child or family should ever suffer like we did again."
The transplant and the death of the little boy
Little Domenico underwent a heart transplant on December 23, 2025, with an organ that was later found to be damaged. After weeks of hospitalization, the child died last Sunday morning in a Naples hospital, a matter that raised questions and controversy about the management of the transplant process.
"It's time for justice"
Before entering the notary's office, the mother reiterated her desire to shed full light on the incident: "The time has come for justice. I demand and want the truth, only and absolutely. We will find out everything: I know that justice and the authorities will do their job."
Personal pain remains at the heart of her words: "The thing that hurt me the most was losing my son. I don't want to say anything about the hospital today: I think everything outside speaks for itself."
Objectives: health safety and donations
The future foundation, according to the family's intentions, will have to contribute to preventing medical errors and to promoting the culture of donation and pediatric transplants, so that — as the mother repeats — "no other child and no other family has to experience what we experienced."
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
It seems like a necessary initiative, but I don't know how it will work. Mom did well to seek truth and justice. We hope the foundation brings changes to pediatric transplants so that no other child suffers like them. But it will require more stringent controls and people who take these cases seriously. I'm not an expert.