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Eric ThompsonUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Eric's Story

Eric joined Watsi on September 8th, 2014. Ten years ago, Eric joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Eric's most recent donation supported Gay, a 23-year-old woman from Burma, to fund a C-section to safely deliver her baby.

Impact

Eric has funded healthcare for 119 patients in 15 countries.

Patients funded by Eric

Gay is a 23-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and her toddler son in a refugee camp in Thailand. She is a homemaker, while her husband works as a day laborer near the refugee camp. His salary is not always enough to cover their daily expenses. She often purchases groceries on credit at the local shop, repaying them after her husband receives his salary. In her free time, Naw Gay weaves and embroider traditional Karen clothes that she sells to earn extra income. Gay is pregnant, and her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Gay undergo a C-Section on October 9th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Gay needs your support. Gay said, “In the future, I want to work with my husband outside of the camp. My parents said they would look after our children while we work.”

$965raised
$534to go

Rosany is a 52-year-old woman from the Philippines. She supports her children by selling various items in her small store. She enjoys watching noontime shows and singing with her family. Rosany is currently experiencing troubling symptoms, including heavy bleeding. She was diagnosed with a myoma, a noncancerous tumor that develops from the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. She needs to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure where surgeons will remove all or part of her uterus. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Rosany undergo surgery on September 19th. She needs help raising $1,391 to fund her procedure and care. This treatment will help improve her quality of life and prevent future health complications. Rosany shared, "I am very grateful for this assistance because the cost of surgery is more than my family can afford. I look forward to receiving treatment, recovering, and continuing to provide for my children."

$868raised
$523to go

Mohammed is a playful and intelligent seven-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing football, running, and spending time with his friends. He is a first-grade student and the second child in his family. Mohammed has one older brother and two younger sisters. His father works as a daily laborer, while his mother is a housewife. The family lives in a rented house and faces financial challenges. Mohammed was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. When Mohammed was about one year old, they took him to a nearby health center. After examining him, the doctor advised the family to return when he was older, explaining that surgery could be performed at a later age. The family returned home, but as Mohammed grew older, they became increasingly concerned that the condition could affect his future. Fortunately, Mohammed is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 17th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. After surgery, he should be able to live more comfortably. Mohammed's father shared, "Thank you so much to everyone for listening to our concerns and responding to our needs. We are deeply grateful to all the staff for your kindness, care, and support. My prayer is that Mohammed will recover well, continue his education, enjoy good health, and have a stable and successful future. May God bless you all."

$769raised
$524to go

Elsa is a 77-year old woman from the Philippines. She enjoys spending time with her neighbors, whose companionship provides her with emotional support and a sense of community. She also takes light walks around her neighborhood to stay active and maintain her health despite her condition. However, her condition has increased the financial burden on her family, who now shoulder her medical expenses. Three months ago, Elsa began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain. Elsa was diagnosed with gallstones and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Elsa is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on July 18th. A portion of the procedure's cost is being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Elsa's surgery and care. Elsa shared, "I am truly grateful for the opportunity to receive free treatment. I look forward to recovering so I can enjoy more time with my family and continue living a healthy and active life."

$335raised
$527to go

Bunny is a 33-year-old man who lives in Kandal Province in Cambodia. He works as a construction worker, while his wife works in a garment factory. The couple also has a small household garden, where they grow vegetables. Together, Bunny and his wife have three children. About a month ago, Bunny was involved in a motor vehicle accident, and sustained an injury on his left foot. He initially received treatment at a private clinic, where the wound was cleaned and dressed. He then continued wound care at home. Despite this, the wound failed to heal, and has remained open as a non-healing injury. The condition has significantly affected his daily life. He has difficulty walking, performing physical work, and returning to his job, which has impacted his family’s financial stability. Bunny was referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for specialized care. He is scheduled to undergo free flap surgery on his left foot on June 17th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. The surgery will close the wound, promote healing, and restore foot function. This will help restore Bunny's mobility, allowing him to walk more comfortably, and enabling him to return to work and normal daily activities. Bunny and his family are able to contribute towards the cost of his treatment, but need help raising $759 more to fund the surgery. Bunny says: “After surgery, I hope that my wound will heal completely, so I can walk comfortably again, return to work, and take care of my daily responsibilities without difficulty.”

$544raised
$215to go

Sha is a 56-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, two daughters, and two sons in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Sha and one of his sons are day laborers in a village near the camp. His wife and one of his daughters are homemakers, while his other daughter is a teacher in the camp. His other son is still a student in the camp. The family has a vegetable garden around their home, and they raise chickens and pigs to sell and for their own consumption. Their combined monthly income of 5,000 THB is often not enough to cover their daily needs. They currently have a loan of 3,000 THB, money borrowed due to Sha's illness. A few days ago, Sha began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain with the pain radiating to his back and a fever. He has been diagnosed with appendicitis, and now needs surgery to prevent his condition from worsening. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Sha receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo an appendectomy, a surgery to remove the appendix when it becomes infected, on May 14th at Mae Sariang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1500, and Sha and his family need your support. Sha says, “I never experienced pain like this before. When the pain is very severe, I can’t breathe easily. I would like for this pain to stop.”

$957raised
$543to go

Hawi is a young student from Ethiopia. At 17 years old, this 9th-grade student is at a very important time in her school life. She works hard at her studies while also taking care of her two younger siblings and helping with chores at home. Because she grew up in a hardworking farming family, she knows how important it is to be strong and active. However, a painful bump on her right hand is now making it very difficult for her to get her work done and keep up with her daily tasks. About a year ago, Hawi started feeling pain in her right hand that made simple movements difficult. Since then, the pain has grown much worse, making it nearly impossible for her to move her hand easily. She feels a constant pressure blocking her movement Hawi traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 19th, surgeons will perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mass. Now, Hawi needs help to raise $750 to fund this procedure. Hawi said, "I look forward to being able to write and do my chores without pain and discomfort."

$750raised
Fully funded

Nicolás dreams of becoming a soccer player when he grows up. He is a cheerful, intelligent boy with a big heart. He likes to take care of others and enjoys spending time with his friends. He currently lives in Jericó with his family. Approximately two years ago, Nicolás was examined for the first time by a pediatric dentist, who diagnosed him with multiple deep cavities. Since then, he has been under observation, but the progression of the disease has caused intense and persistent pain, inflammation, pus accumulation, and difficulties eating and sleeping. The process has been complex due to Nicolás's young age, so it was finally determined that the treatment must be performed under general anesthesia. Fortunately, our medical partner, Clínica Noel, will perform Nicolás's procedure on March 27th. They are requesting $868 to cover the treatment costs. This will not only relieve his physical pain but also allow him to regain his well-being and quality of life. Nicolás's mother shares, "I hope Nicolás can regain his smile and the quality of life that every child deserves. Seeing someone who doesn't know him personally get involved with such love is the purest reflection of human kindness. May God continue to bless you and guide your every step in this noble mission. As a mother, I would tell you that people like you are very rare, and that you should not stop doing this beautiful thing for those who really need it. I am sure that Nicolás would be deeply happy and grateful for your help."

$868raised
Fully funded

Nwet is 41 years old and a mother of three from Burma. She and her husband live in a refugee village in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. They moved from Burma to Thailand in 2020 in search of better job opportunities. Nwet's daughter and two sons are studying in Burma and live with her mother-in-law. She and her husband are agricultural workers. Since January 2023, Nwet has been experiencing troubling symptoms, including swelling on her left neck. She was diagnosed with thyroid goiter. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Nwet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 17th. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,500, and she and her family need help raising money. Nwet said, “Thank you so much to BCMF and the donors for helping me with my treatment cost.” Her husband added, “I am really grateful that my wife will receive support for her surgery costs. By ourselves, we cannot afford this. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Mili is a five-month old baby girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mother, who is a homemaker; her father, who is a truck driver; and two older siblings in a neighborhood of La Paz. When Mili was born prematurely, doctors informed her family that she had Down syndrome and a heart condition. Since then, Mili has had difficulty breathing and gaining weight, and needs this surgery to become healthy. Mili has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels next to the heart. This condition prevents Mili's blood from circulating properly, causing her weakness, and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition is not treated. On January 13th, Mili will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Mili's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Her mother says: "I trust my child will have a successful surgery. I'm grateful for the kindness that people at the hospital have shown me; the doctors and nurses and everybody here are very nice to me and my daughter!"

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Goldstein is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. His parents are both vendors. He is a very curious and outgoing boy who makes friends easily. Goldstein has a cardiac condition called atrioventricular canal defect. A large hole exists between the chambers of Goldstein's heart, causing blood to leak between all four chambers of the heart without circulating through the lungs to obtain oxygen. This leaves him weak and short of breath, and will lead to heart failure if not corrected. Goldstein will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On December 16th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is contributing to pay for his surgery. But Goldstein's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Goldstein's family overseas. Goldstein's mother shared, "Our family has been praying for this surgery ever since our son was a small baby, and we want to say thank you to everyone!"

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Chorb is 76 years old and a doting grandmother from Cambodia. Five months ago, after her husband passed away, Chorb moved in with her eldest child. She has four other children and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. For the past four months, Chorb has suffered from hip pain that prevents her from walking. Because of this, she cannot move around freely or visit the pagoda, which was part of her daily routine. She worries about losing her independence and being limited in her activities. Chorb was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center (CSC), by a friend from her village. On November 11th, Chorb will undergo a hip replacement procedure on her left hip. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $1,400 more to fund her procedure and care. After surgery, Chorb hopes to regain mobility, to be free from hip pain, and to return to visiting the pagoda independently. Chorb said: “After the surgery, I hope that I will no longer have hip pain, and I can walk on my own."

$1,400raised
Fully funded