South Cotabato Provincial Hospital

Manilyn is a 26-year-old woman from the Philippines. The youngest in her family, she lives with her parents and takes care of the household. Last year, Manilyn began noticing swelling in her neck. Soon, she began experiencing headaches, neck pain, and the feeling that something was obstructing her throat. She was diagnosed with a goiter, a benign swelling of the neck's thyroid gland, and needs an operation to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), is helping Manilyn receive treatment. On August 4, surgeons will perform a thyroidectomy, removing the affected area of Manilyn's thyroid. ICM requests $1,222 for Manilyn's treatment. "I hope and pray that you will support my operation because I want to return to my normal functioning and, after my operation, I want to pursue my dreams in order to help my parents," says Manilyn.

Soraya is a 29-year-old mother of three children from the Philippines. She lives with her husband and children. During the day, she does chores, cooks, and looks after her children. Six years ago, she began to experience troubling symptoms. These symptoms included difficulty swallowing, chest tightness, rapid breathing, and neck swelling. She was diagnosed with a goiter on the right side of her neck. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is helping Soraya receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 3 at our medical partner's care center, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital. Surgeons will remove the right part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,222, and she and her family need help raising money. "I believe that there is always a solution to any problem," shares Soraya. "I am hoping that one day I can have the surgery and my life will be changed. I am asking you to please help me to pay my operation and live a normal life again."

Meet Merlina, a 48-year-old mother of three who lives in the Philippines. Merlina is a housewife and also works with her daughter to sell barbecue for additional income. 20 years ago, Merlina began to experience goiter symptoms after having her third child. Her enlarged thyroid gland causes daily discomfort and makes it difficult for Merlina to swallow. Merlina visited our medical partner, International Care Ministries, where she was diagnosed and advised to undergo a thyroidectomy. Merlina's thyroid will be removed on May 17. The care center requests $1,222 for the procedure. Merlina is unable to fund the surgery, but wishes to return to a normal life without pain and discomfort. She says, "Twenty years is long enough. I want to end this condition I have right now. This is a big hindrance to my desires and the things I want to do. I hope and pray you will continue your support."

Midday is a 36-year-old woman and a loving wife to her husband. A few years ago, Midday started experiencing troubling symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing and breathing, weakness, chest pain, headache, and a constant feeling of thirst. Midday thought these symptoms were due to stress because of the busy life in Manila, so she and her husband decided to go back to Mindanao, where life is much more slow-paced. Unfortunately, the symptoms only got worse. She was later diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Midday was advised to undergo an immediate thyroidectomy to stop the cancer from spreading. According to the doctor, surgery is the best treatment. No further treatment will be necessary. On March 29, Midday will be receiving treatment at our medical partner's hospital, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital. The surgery will cost $1,222. Midday and her husband are grateful for the support. She says, "I have a positive outlook on life, and I know that we can surpass this trial in our lives. I keep praying for people who can help us." Once Midday has recovered, she and her husband hope to have a baby to complete their family.

Gemafel is a 35-year-old woman from the Philippines. She has six children, and her husband works as a laborer. She helps her husband support the family by cooking and selling snacks. Gemafel has been experiencing tightness around the neck, which causes her pain and difficulty breathing. She has been unable to work on the family farm. Despite her health concerns, her family could not afford to seek treatment. Fortunately, Gemafel learned about our medical partner, International Care Ministries. She underwent a biopsy and was diagnosed with a thyroid condition. On December 6, she will undergo thyroid surgery. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,289 procedure. After recovery, Gemafel plans to apply to jobs around town. "I would like to thank you,” says Gemafel. “This condition is a great burden to me and hinders me in doings things that I want to do. When I was informed of this great news, I was overwhelmed. I am praying that this will be a success, and I owe it to all of you."

Jinnelen is 33-year old mother of six from the Philippines. She loves to cook and play with her kids. Her husband works as a quarry laborer, and sometimes he also sells fruits in the market to have extra income. Their income, however, is not enough for the daily needs of the family. 13 years ago, Jinnilen noticed a swelling on her neck. Over time, she began to experience nervousness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Three years ago she was diagnosed with a thyroid goiter, or enlargement of the thyroid gland, but the surgery cost was too much for her to afford. She was unable to undergo surgery. Since then, Jinnilen has prayed that she might have an opportunity to undergo surgery to remove the goiter, which has now grown very large. Fortunately, our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), found Jinnilen and told her she was eligible to receive treatment through the partnership with Watsi. $1,289 will fund the thyroidectomy she needs to fully remove her thyroid gland. Jinnilen is “so excited and happy for the favor given to her,” ICM shares. “I want to be with my children and husband,” she shares. “I want to give my best for them. After the treatment I will be a productive wife. I will help my husband to make income for our family, I am so excited for my treatment. Thank you so much for helping me.”

Bene, a 48-year-old woman, is a merry person and likes to socialize and mingle with people and tell them about her experiences in life. Bene first experienced dysmenorrhea, heavy bleeding, and had felt a small lump in her lower abdomen in 2013. She had sought medical help and had found out that she had an ovarian cyst, myoma and an abscess, and was advised to have hysterectomy surgery. Because of this, she worries a lot because her family only has limited funds and cannot provide for her surgery. Despite her condition, she travels a lot for her small business, but she stopped when she encountered an accident last July 2015. ​Because of the accident, she became handicapped, thus, the husband is the only earner in the family. Though she tried helping her husband who is a fish vendor, she finds it really difficult to go from place to place because she is using crutches. With that, the income is barely enough for their family's daily needs and their son's school allowance, clothing, and school requirements. The hysterectomy surgery would not just relieve the signs and symptoms of the condition she experiences, but it would also prevent her from having worst complications such as cancer and metastasis. For $668, Bene will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. "I would like to thank you first for helping me to have my surgery," shares Bene. "I am actually ready for any surgery because I believe it is the best for me. I don't have any fears as long as it would lengthen my life so that I can be with my family longer. After this surgery I am planning to give attention also to my handicap and find ways to help my husband."​