Gov Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital Keep Mindy

Julieta is a 47-year-old mother of five children from the Philippines. She lives with her husband and children. During the day, Julieta does chores, cuts grasses on the farm, and looks after her children. 12 years ago, Julieta began to experience troubling symptoms. She experienced difficulty while swallowing, nervousness, shortness of breath, and at times, felt like she was choking. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. On September 8, Julieta will undergo thyroidectomy surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, requests $489 to help fund the procedure to remove the diseased part of her thyroid gland. "It is my long desire that this mass will be operated, for more than 12 years after giving birth to my eldest son, it feels really uncomfortable inside and out," says Julieta. "I hope this time, the surgery will cure my condition."

Mario is a 39-year-old farmer from the Philippines. He is married and has two children. He enjoys spending time with his family in the evening. Mario has a hernia. Mario has been managing his medical condition since childhood, but now his symptoms have become worse. He has severe lower abdominal pain and pelvic pain. His wife takes care of the family while Mario earns just enough to meet their needs. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), helped Mario to have a medical consultation. He was advised to have a bilateral herniotomy, which would alleviate his condition. He needs financial help to be able to have the surgery. On June 8, Mario will undergo a hernia repair. Our medical partner, ICM, is requesting $508 to fund this procedure. The requested $508 pays for surgical materials, medication, and five nights of hospital stay. Mario says, "I am hopeful that my operation will be successful. I am excited to start work and help my family when I recover."

Chiradeen is a 31-year-old single mother of five children from the Philippines. She works as a housemaid to support her family. In December of last year, Chiradeen first started experiencing severe abdominal pain. She was subsequently diagnosed with gallstones. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, has arranged for Chiradeen to undergo a cholecystectomy to surgically remove her gallbladder on June 1. Philhealth, the national health insurance program, has contributed $899 towards Chiradeen's medical bill, but she needs our help to fund the remaining $1,346. This will help pay for Chiradeen's surgery and hospital stay. "I want to have this operation so I can go back to work to support my children and parents," says Chiradeen.

Anselma is a 53-year-old mother of three, living on an island in the Philippines. Anselma takes pride in caring for her daughters and her household, while her husband, who works as a fisherman, earns a small income to support the family. Anselma visited her doctor after noticing swelling in her neck. She was diagnosed with thyroidism, which means that her thyroid does not properly producing thyroid hormones. This has led to increased anxiety and difficulty swallowing. Anselma needs surgery to remove her thyroid and will then be on medications to help regulate her thyroid hormones. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is requesting $489 to fund Anselma's thyroid surgery, which will be preformed on May 16. Anselma is relieved that this surgery will ease her pain, give her piece of mind, and allow her to focus on caring for her family. "I am happy that I will be undergoing this surgery and that you will help me have this. I am looking forward that after this, the swell in my neck will be gone and I can do my household work with ease. Thank you for helping me raise this fund for my surgery," says Anselma.

Cipriana is a 59-year-old Filipino housekeeper who is married and a mother to six children. She also sells cooked snacks to augment her husband's income as a fisherman. Cipriana loves to experiment with her cooking and talk to her neighbors. Several years ago, Cipriana felt pain in her abdomen and was eventually diagnosed with having an ovarian growth, a noncancerous but painful cyst-like mass in the ovaries. Surgery will be needed to remove the mass. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is requesting $612 to fund this procedure, which will take place on May 5. This money will help cover supplies, medications, doctor's fees, and post-operation follow-up treatment. Doctors expect that after Cipriana's surgery, her pain and discomfort will be relieved. Cipriana says, "Thank you so much in advance to all of you. Me and my family were very excited for the surgery. This will really change my life and will make the pain I was suffering disappear."

Samuel is 38 years old and from the Philippines. He is a loving and hardworking husband and father to three children. One of his goals as a father is to see all three of his children finish their schooling and get good jobs. A few years ago, Samuel began to experience pain in his groin and swelling in his lower abdominal area. Since then, he has been unable to lift heavy objects and perform strenuous activities, making his job as a farmer difficult. With his family depending on him, Samuel decided that he would continue to work. Due to their limited income, Samuel did not pursue treatment right away. However, with the help of his wife, Samuel was connected with our medical partner, International Care Ministries. Samuel shares, "I thought I would not be given a chance to have the surgery and would have this condition for life, but amazingly because of prayers this great opportunity comes. You are the answer to our prayers." After a series of consultations and tests, Samuel discovered that he had an inguinal hernia, a condition in which an organ protrudes through weakened muscle, and a hydrocele, which had been causing the swelling. He is scheduled to receive reparative surgery for both conditions on February 2. After receiving treatment, Samuel will be able to work with ease again and provide for his family without having to worry about his condition. "I am so thankful that you came along, and I consider you a great blessing to our family. After the surgery and when I fully recover, I will work well for my family, and spend quality time with my children and wife," says Samuel. "We are looking forward to a successful surgery."

Barsilisa is a 54-year-old homemaker from the Philippines. She is married and has four children, the youngest of whom helps her with her daily household duties. Her husband is a fisherman, and her older children go to school. In her community, she's fondly known as "Barsing." In 2014, Barsilisa was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. At the time, she took medication to treat it. She had to stop because the medicine was too expensive to buy continuously. As a result, her goiter grew, causing her extreme fatigue, tightening of the neck, and nervousness. Barsilisa visited our medical partner's care center, where it was determined that Barsilisa's condition cannot be treated with medications. She needs to undergo surgery. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is asking for $489 in funds to cover the cost of Barsilisa's thyroid surgery, hospital stay, and physician's fees. She will undergo surgery on January 31. Barsilisa is looking forward to being well so she can resume her duties as a mother and wife. "My condition hinders me a lot in doing my responsibilities as a wife and a mother for my children," says Barsilisa. "This operation means a life that is purposeful for me. Thank you so much."

Elinita is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her family on a small island. She is a loving, devoted mother and wife. Elinita's husband is a fisherman who supports the family. 27 years ago, Elinita developed a visible mass on the left side of her face. She didn't know what it was or how to cure it, and the nearest hospital was too far from home. As the years passed, the mass swelled and grew. Fortunately, our medical partner's community outreach program found Elinita. She underwent a series of laboratory tests and biopsies to diagnose the mass. She learned that it was benign, but her doctor advised her to undergo surgery. On January 24, she will undergo a tumor removal surgery. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is requesting $322 to fund her healthcare. "I was not expecting this opportunity to come to our community. Our community is so remote, but you really came to help us," says Elinita. "This surgery means a lot to me and my family."

Mario is a 48-year-old husband, father of three, and construction worker from the Philippines. Described as a "man of many dreams," Mario hopes to provide the absolute best for his family. Some time ago, Mario began to develop a mass on the left side of his face and neck. Prior to developing the mass, he had planned to move to the capital city in search of better work opportunities. Unfortunately, his plans were put on hold. Mario's wife, Marcela, brought him to visit our medical partner's care center. After undergoing a laboratory screening and biopsy, Mario was diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma, a collection of benign salivary gland tumors. Doctors recommend that he undergo surgery to remove the mass. "I cannot afford seeing my family suffer because their father cannot provide for their needs," Mario says. "A father ought to be the foundation of the home, and I would like to be a reliable father to them. I am asking for your generous hearts to help me and my family...Thank you in advance to all of you." Mario is scheduled to undergo a parotidectomy operation to remove his tumors on January 1. Our medical partner is requesting $332 to cover the cost of the surgery and medication. After treatment, Mario looks forward to getting a new job and living free from daily worry about his health.

Meet Rolando, a 51-year-old man from the Philippines. Currently, Rolando experiences stomach pain due to an inguinal hernia. He has been living with a hernia for the past nine years, but because he has been unable to go to the hospital, it has become increasingly worse. Rolando is a father and loves spending time with his children. A very diligent father, he plants vegetables and rice depending on the season to provide the needs of their family. His wife and children were encouraging him to seek treatment for a long time, but he refused because he worried about what his family would eat if he was hospitalized. Rolando "is determined to win this battle against his condition," his medical team shared. "He is willing to undergo the operation to have a quality and meaningful life free from pain and sickness." The hernia repair surgery Ronaldo needs will cost $962. "Me and my wife are looking forward that the operation will be successful," Ronaldo shared. "Thank you for your generosity that you will help me financially in my surgery. As a father, I could not bear seeing my family suffer because of me. I am determined to be healed and be again the father who can provide and protect his family. Thank you so much for the help."

This is Prince, a very active and playful five-year-old boy. He loves to jump and run to and fro at school; sometimes, even at home! He lives with his loving parents, a sister, and two other brothers in a mountainous area of their local town. Prince had recently felt pain in his inguinal area when he played and ran too fast. The pain forced him stop at the corner and cry. At a sponsored community event, Prince's mother had her sons screened for medical conditions. Both Prince and his brother were diagnosed with conditions that require immediate medical attention. Prince's father is the sole breadwinner of the family and can barely sustain their everyday needs as it is. Prince is in need of a hydrocele repair. Watsi's medical partner, International Care Ministries, can help provide him the necessary surgeons, medications, and respite for the operation. $465 will cover costs for surgery, during which a surgeon will make an incision where the hernia is located, repair the abdominal wall with mesh, and reposition the intestinal muscles. Prince's parents share, "As a parent, you want your child to live normally and happily. Unfortunately, our two boys have this condition that prevents them from enjoying their childhood. We are very worried about them, but we cannot do anything because our finances are limited. We are thankful that there are people who are able to help us. Thank you in behalf of our two boys and the whole family." Our financial support will relieve Prince of his pain and provide comfort to a loving family.

Two-year-old Princess "is a playful girl and very cute," reports our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). "She was loved not only by her parents but her neighbors and friends as well. She loves to play with kids around the neighborhood like they are living in a castle and she and her friends are princesses and princes." Princess lives in a mountainous part of the Philippines with her parents. Recently, her mother noticed a mass near her reproductive organs and sought care for her. "The mother did not hesitate to coordinate with the health staff to subject Princess for consultation to a surgeon," ICM explains. "Tests were performed including ultrasound and she was diagnosed with indirect inguinal hernia and surgery is needed. They cannot afford the surgery needed for Princess because of financial constraints." Princess' hernia is causing her pain, and her mother has had to stay home from work to care for her. For $465, we can pay for surgery to repair her hernia, allowing her to live a normal life. "I am thankful for the sponsors and donors who are very willing to help us. Princess is really a princess to her small kingdom we called our home. Thank you for making her wish come true," Princess' mother says.