This is Elia, an eight-year-old boy from Tanzania.
Elia is a previous Watsi patient who first presented with a swelling in his left cheek. He was subsequently diagnosed with a giant cell tumor, and underwent curretage, marsupialization and reconstruction, followed by weekly intralesional injections for six weeks.
The procedure was a success as the mass decreased in size. However, while it was expected that Elia’s face would have regressed and bone healed, Elia’s swelling did not completely disappear. He needs another surgery to completely remove this mass so as to avoid a pathological fracture of his mandible.
For $920, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can perform a mass excision surgery to help Elia heal properly.
“We saw some good changes after the first surgery,” his mother shares. “We hope that the second surgery will show even better results, leaving Elia with his normal face.”