International Care Ministries

Philippines

Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services: Bohol Cooperative Hospital

Patients at Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services: Bohol Cooperative Hospital

Jemrose is a happy and hardworking young woman from the Philippines. Her mother left when Jemrose was eight years old, leaving her and her siblings to the care of her father, who works as a land laborer. She was not able to finish high school, because her father could not sustain sending them all to school. Jemrose has thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland. The condition is characterized by a painful goiter [abnormal enlargement of the thyroid]. At the age of 14, she started working as a housemaid. At the age of 16, she started to get sick easily, and her neck started to swell. She was able to send herself to a doctor with the help of her sister, but could not sustain the daily medications. She cannot afford treatment because her family's income can barely sustain their daily needs. Having a goiter at a young age, without a mother to take care of their family, has been difficult for Jemrose. Whenever she is under stress or has a long day of work, her throat and chest get tight and uncomfortable so that she can't work well. She also easily gets nervous with little stimuli. Her condition has forced her to stop working. Before qualifying for surgery, she felt hopeless that she would not be able to get the treatment she needs. With $365, Jemrose can undergo a procedure to treat her thyroiditis. "The lump in her neck will be removed, and she will no longer experience pain and discomfort. Through the treatment, her condition will be prevented from progressing and becoming worse. She is now excited that after the surgery, she will be able to look for a stable job and have a chance to finish school. Jemrose shares, "Thank you so much for this help, because we really can't afford this treatment. I was eight years old when my mother left us and my father has worked so hard for us. I want to help him. I hope that after treatment, I can find a stable job to sustain our family's needs."

$365raised
Fully funded

Lucy is a 55-year-old mother of two from the Philippines who dearly loves her family. She loves to spend time with her granddaughters who are living with her. During her free time, she loves to clean around the house and cook for her granddaughters. Lucy, together with his husband, is a tenant of a farm, which is their source of income. She would usually help her husband in the farm, however, because of her condition she can no longer work. She is experiencing pain in her neck, due to a multi nodular thyroid goiter. Whenever she is doing strenuous activities she easily gets fatigued. She is also feeling discomfort and easily gets irritated, which makes her depressed because her grandchildren are already affected. One of her daughters stopped working to take care of her and do household chores. Lucy was screened as having a condition that required surgical treatment by one of International Care Ministries sponsored communities. She was brought to a physician for assessment and evaluation for her condition. A thyroidectomy will help Lucy have a better life ahead. She will no longer experience the pain and discomfort she is having right now. When fully recovered, she will be able to help her husband in tending the farm which will also mean an increase in their monthly income. Her daughter could also go back to work and also assist them with their daily needs. Lucy will enjoy her life with her grandchildren whom she dearly loves. "I am very grateful that I was given a chance to have this surgery," shares Lucy. "Thank you because you did not hesitate to help me. I am hoping that after this operation I will not be a burden anymore to my family."

$365raised
Fully funded

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be treated,” shares Editha, a 46-year-old woman from the Philippines. “I did not expect that what I have prayed for a long time was now been answered.” Editha is a loving mother to five children, and loves cooking for them. Recently, though, her family has been worried about her. Not too long ago, she noticed a swelling in her neck, and that she was having trouble swallowing. She was eventually diagnosed with a goiter, meaning her thyroid gland—located at the base of the neck—is growing abnormally large. Editha’s goiter causes her pain and makes her get tired easily. Because of these factors, Editha cannot work the long hours necessary to her job as a vegetable and rice farmer. Furthermore, she also feels depressed and embarrassed because of her goiter, which people sometimes make rude comments about. Fortunately, there is a treatment for goiters like Editha’s. During a thyroidectomy, surgeons remove some or all of a patient’s malfunctioning thyroid gland, thus removing the source of the goiter. However, such an operation is not financially feasible for Editha. The harvest that she and her husband bring in from their farm work is just enough for the daily consumption and school expenses of their children. But we can help. For $91, we can sponsor the thyroidectomy Editha needs. After surgery, she will be able to live a normal life and be free to do the things she can't do currently—like working full shifts in the fields, carrying heavy objects, and walking down the street with confidence. “Thank you for kind hearts that did not hesitate to help people like me," Editha adds.

$91raised
Fully funded