Valiant, the infant who was flown overseas for treatment he could not receive on the Island, is set to be released from the Children's Hospital in Boston today.

The infant, who is the son of Duane Santucci and his wife Shirlene, is now in good condition after being in the hospital's intensive care unit for weeks.

But the family will remain in Boston until August 9 as a precautionary measure.

The Royal Gazette spoke to Mrs. Ming-Santucci on the phone yesterday and she said Valiant was "howling and talking and having a good time like any other infant''.

Valiant was rushed off the Island on June 28 by the US Coast Guard and Children's Hospital medical staff in a desperate bid to save his life after he was found to have a heart defect. On Wednesday, the family was reunited with the US Coast Guard, nurses and doctors who helped save his life.

That reunion was the highlight of at least eight news broadcasts, Mrs.

Ming-Santucci said. She added that Valiant received excellent care at the hospital, which was recently recognised as the number one paediatric hospital in the US.

"So we did come to the very best,'' she continued.

Mrs. Ming-Santucci said she and her husband would try to attain copies of the tapes which aired on US television so that Bermudians could see the miracle-working staff who have helped so many other Bermudians.

"A lot of Bermudians come here and it's good for the staff to get recognition,'' she said.

Valiant must go to one last appointment before he returns to Bermuda next month.