Starlex is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and two younger brothers in Cap Haitien, a city in northern Haiti. His father is a taxi driver. He is in the second grade and likes going to school and playing with his friends. Starlex has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Starlex will fly to Canada to receive treatment. On April 1st, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage from his valve. Another organization, The Herbie Fund, is contributing $25,000 to pay for surgery. Starlex's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and transport. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Starlex's family overseas. Starlex's father shared, "My family is looking forward to the day when our son can be healthy and normal!"

Tina is a 59-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her family in a village in Myawaddy Township, Karen State. She stopped working five months ago because of her poor health and now, she looks after the household chores and takes care of her grandchildren. Both of her grandchildren go to school while her daughter works as a health worker in their village. Both Tina’s son and her son-in-law work as agricultural day labourers on different farms. In January 2019, Tina began to experience that her right eye started to hurt. These symptoms have made it increasingly difficult for she to see clearly. Tina was diagnosed with retinal detachment, a condition in which the retina pulls away from the supportive tissue in the eye, resulting in vision loss. If left untreated, she could lose vision completely. Tina is scheduled to undergo surgery to reattach her retina on September 20. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After his surgery, Tina's vision will hopefully be restored, and she will resume her daily activities comfortably. She is not able to sleep well because she worries about her condition. “When I have free time, I weave bags for my grandchildren,” said Tina. “I hope that I will feel better soon so that I can go back to work and pay back my debt.”

Cynthia is a five year old sweet and talkative girl. On Tuesday evening, Cynthia came to our hospital accompanied by her mother with complaints after sustaining a fall one week ago. She sustained an injury on her left hand now she is unable to flex her elbow. On arrival, an x-Ray was done that confirmed that Cynthia has a completely displaced supracondylar fracture. Cynthia has been admitted into the pediatrics ward awaiting OREF surgery. Cynthia’s father is a shopkeeper and her mother is a housewife. Her father earns an average of $52 in a month. Having been blessed with three children, this gross income is too little to meet the needs of his children. He is unable to raise the funds for Cynthia's surgery bill causing him alot of fear and anxiety. Doctors suggest that her fracture need to be fixed urgently to avoid healing badly.

Syndie is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings on a small farm in the mountains of southern Haiti. She likes going to school and helping her parents around the farm. Syndie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart was severely damaged due to a fever she suffered earlier in childhood, and cannot adequately pump blood through her body. Syndie will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 29, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will first attempt to repair the damaged valve, and if this is not possible they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Mitral Foundation, is contributing $6,000 to pay for surgery. Syndie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Syndie's family overseas. She says, "I am looking forward to having more energy and better health after my surgery!"

Harrison is a baby from Tanzania. He has been diagnosed with genu varus. his legs are bowed outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Harrison. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 21. Treatment will hopefully restore Harrison's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Harrison’s mother says, “My son is suffering due to his legs condition but due to financial challenges we are unable to afford his treatment cost please help our son.”

Sophal is a 55-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, two grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Three months ago, Sophal developed a cataract in each eye, causing her irritation, pain, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sophal learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On May 6, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope that my surgery is successful so I am able to attend the ceremonies at the pagoda, and be able to recognize my relatives' faces."

Marlene is a mother of two from Haiti. She sells kitchen supplies at a local market stall, and sings in her church choir. Marlene has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart cannot open and close properly due to an infection she suffered several years ago. This makes her heart unable to circulate blood properly, leaving her weak and short of breath. Marlene will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On April 27, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair or replace her damaged valve. Another organization, Fundacion Heart Care Dominicana, is contributing $10,000 to pay for surgery. Marlene's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Marlene's family overseas. She says, "I am so glad that my prayers for surgery are about to be answered."