Aung is a 22-year-old living in Mae Sot, Thailand with his mother and older brother. Sadly, Aung's father passed away many years ago. Aung and his brother have been working together as blacksmiths that build roofs and chairs. A month ago, Aung got a small cut on the big toe of his right foot. Considering it to be only a small cut, Aung did not seek treatment and continued to walk. However after two weeks, his toes started to blacken. Aung tried some traditional Burmese medicine to no avail. His infection spread and his foot is now black up to his ankle, with a hole and maggots in it. The pain is so severe that Aung is unable to walk and work. There is no other choice than to amputate his leg. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help fund Aung's amputation. The surgery is scheduled to take place on June 30 and, if all goes well, Aung will be able to recover smoothly. Aung remains optimistic, saying, "I am hoping to be able to continue working and someday being a manager after I recover."

Phy, an 85-year-old grandmother from Cambodia, was recently diagnosed with cataracts. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Phy developed a cataract in each eye three months ago. This causes her blurred vision and tearing. It is hard for her to see clearly, go outside, or do any work.” Cataracts occur as proteins develop in the lens of the eye, causing cloudiness. The cloudiness increases over time and results in slowly deteriorating vision. If untreated, the condition can ultimately result in total blindness. For $225, we can fund surgery to treat Phy’s cataracts. During this widely practiced operation, doctors will make a small incision to surgically remove the clouded lenses–replacing each with a new, artificial substitute. The grandmother of two enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. With restored vision, Phy will be free to independently pursue her hobbies once again. "I hope my eyes can see everything clearly again so that I can easily help my child do some housework, take care of my grandchild at home, and [easily] walk anywhere by myself," Phy shares.

Meet Karl, a three-year-old boy from Haiti. Karl lives with his mother, father, and older brother. “His father repairs automobiles and his mother stays at home," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "He is a shy child, but likes to play with his brother and help his parents at home.” “Karl was born with a cardiac condition called pulmonic stenosis, in which the valve leading from his heart to his lungs is unusually narrow," explains HCA. "As result, blood had difficulty reaching his lungs, and backs up into his heart, leading to heart failure. If untreated, this condition could be fatal.” For $1,500, we can fund a treatment that will restore normal blood flow to Karl’s heart, and allow him to live a normal life. This amount funds overseas preparation and transportation, as HCA secures overseas heart surgeries for procedures that are not easily accessible in Haiti. The treatment is subsidized by a $10,000 donation from Safra Children’s Hospital. Karl's mother shares, “We are hopeful that Karl will be healthy after his surgery so that he can start going to preschool with the other children.”

Meet 70-year-old Tim from Cambodia. "Tim is married with three sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren," says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). "She enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray, planting crops around her home, and caring for her grandchildren. She traveled three hours with her daughter to reach CSC." Tim has glaucoma and a cataract in each eye. Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve, while cataracts lead to clouding of the eye lens. Glaucoma and cataracts worsen with time, resulting in diminished vision. "She is partially blind, experiences tearing, pain, burning, and is afraid of the sunshine," explains CSC. "She can not see everything clearly, recognize faces, do work well, or go anywhere outside by herself." For $300, Tim will receive trabeculectomy surgery. The surgery "will release the pressure in her eye caused by glaucoma. Her vision will improve and her pain will be relieved," continues CSC. Tim's daughter remains hopeful that her mother's pain will soon come to an end. She shares,"I hope my mother can see everything clearly again and not be in pain anymore, and she can easily do any work and walk anywhere by herself." Tim is eager to heal properly and return to daily life. She says, "I hope my eyes can see everything clearly as normal again. I would like to do any work well and easily go anywhere outside by myself, too."