Success! Shallon from Uganda raised $187 to fund a mass removal on her chest.

100%

$187 raised, $0 to go

$187

raised

to go

Shallon's story
Shallon's update

January 21, 2020

Shallon is a peasant farmer from Uganda who has a left breast lump that had been persistently painful for the past two years. She worried it would be cancerous and was diagnosed with left breast fibroadenoma and an excision surgery was recommended.

Shallon has a younger sister who is in school. Unfortunately, she was not able to proceed with her high school education after her father’s demise. To earn a living, Shallon practices small scale farming and basket weaving. She is not able to afford the cost of surgery and appeals for help.

Shallon traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On January 22nd, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Shallon needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure.

Shallon says, “I will be grateful having achieved my surgery under your support.”

Shallon is a peasant farmer from Uganda who has a left breast lump that had been persistently painful for the past two years. She worried it...

Photo of Shallon post-operation

February 26, 2020

Shallon underwent a mass removal on her chest.

Nayebare successfully underwent an excision treatment due to fibroadenoma. She is now doing well with reduced pain and she thanks everyone for having restored her health.

Nayebare says, “Thanks so much for what you have done for me and may the Lord bless you abundantly. I will continue with cultivation and weaving baskets.”

Nayebare successfully underwent an excision treatment due to fibroadenoma. She is now doing well with reduced pain and she thanks everyone f...

January 21, 2020
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Shallon was submitted by Robert Kariuki, Process Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.
January 22, 2020
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Shallon received treatment at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale in Uganda. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
January 28, 2020
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Shallon's profile was published to start raising funds.
February 26, 2020
TREATMENT UPDATE
Shallon's treatment was successful. Read the update.
September 7, 2020
FULLY FUNDED
Shallon's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 3 donors

Treatment

Mass Excision

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $187 for Shallon's treatment

Hospital Fees

$96

Medical Staff

Medication

$29

Supplies

$28

Labs

$34

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Broadly speaking, masses come in two types: benign (not cancer) and malignant (cancer). The types of tumors are many and could range from osteosarcoma of the jaw (a bone tumor) to thyroid enlargement to breast lump to lipoma (benign fat tumor), among others. The symptoms vary depending on the type of tumor. Not all tumors, cancerous or benign, show symptoms. A common benign tumor, such as a lipoma (fatty tumor), may cause local pressure and pain, or may be disfiguring and socially stigmatizing. An ovarian mass may be benign or cancerous and may cause pain, bleeding, or, if malignant, death.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

If the tumor is cancerous, it is usually aggressive and invasive. If not treated (like certain skin cancers, for example) there could be great tissue destruction, pain, deformity, and ultimately death.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Due to lack of accessibility to treatment facilities, some of the patients have lived with masses for a long time. Access to medical facilities is difficult for people living in remote parts of Uganda.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

The patient is usually admitted for three days. They undergo three- to five-hour surgery depending on the location of the mass and whether it's cancerous. After surgery, they are continuously monitored in the wards.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

In the case of cancer, the procedure can be life-saving. In the case of benign tumors, patients can be free of pain or social stigma.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

If the tumor is cancerous, the surgeon will only try to remove it if the procedure would be curative. If cancer has already spread, then surgery cannot help. Most of these surgeries are not very risky.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

There are few qualified facilities and surgeons to perform this procedure.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Alternatives depend on the type of tumor. If the tumor is cancerous, chemotherapy may help, but that treatment is even less available than surgery. If the tumor is benign, it depends on the condition but just watching the mass would be one option.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Gerson is a four-month-old baby. He is the second-born child in a family of two children. Gerson's mother stays at home while his father engages in casual day jobs to earn a living. Gerson was born with clubfoot on both his legs. His feet are twisted inward and downward, which requires treatment at an early stage. This will make it difficult for Gerson to crawl, walk, and wear shoes. Fortunately, Gerson's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on April 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Gerson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to wear shoes and will reduce stress on his feet when he starts walking. Gerson’s mother Says: “Please help my son. I hope he finishes his treatment and his feet get better to grow up and be successful.”

Esther is a 48-year-old mother of two adult children. She is a sales lady and her husband is an accountant. During her free time, Esther listens to gospel music and enjoys eating nsima made from maize flour served with fish and beans. In 2021, she experienced abdominal pain and other worrying symptoms. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids or abnormal growths in the uterus. She was given some medications that helped reduce the growth of the fibroids. Once her symptoms disappeared, she stopped taking the medications. However, the symptoms came back and the doctors at Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH) recommended for her to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to address the pain and future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for $1,363 for the procedure that will take place on March 2nd. After the surgery, it is expected that Esther's symptoms will disappear. Esther looks forward to being able to perform her daily tasks and going back to work.

Luz is a three-year-old girl from a mining town in central Bolivia. Her mother is a farmer and her father sadly passed away from a heart attack soon after she was born. Luz has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and dependent on an external oxygen tank. Fortunately, our medical partner, The International Cardiac Alliance can help. Luz is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on March 21st. Our medical partners are requesting $1,500 to fund her procedure. Luz's mother says, "I am looking forward to my daughter being able to play normally and start preschool after her surgery!"

Shallon's Timeline

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Funded by 3 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.