Channy is a 63-year-old rice farmer who is married and has four daughters and seven grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her youngest daughter who also works as a farmer.
Five years ago, Channy developed a pterygium in her right eye causing her itchiness, tearing, and irritation. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has not worked in the rice field for the past few years because of her condition.
When Channy learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 8th, Channy will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Channy shared, “I hope after surgery my eye will be better. I can help my husband at the rice field and also help my daughter to take care of my grandchildren.”