John Ames
John's Story

John joined Watsi on July 10th, 2014. 191 other people also joined Watsi on that day! John's most recent donation supported Cynthia, a newborn from Kenya, to treat an anorectal malformation.

Impact

John has funded healthcare for 7 patients in 4 countries.

Patients funded by John

Brian, a 35-year-old Kenyan man, came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking treatment for a leg injury sustained earlier this year in a hit-and-run accident involving a motorcycle. “Since then,” explains AMHF, “he is unable to work and relies solely on his family.” Brian’s condition, chronic osteomyelitis of the right tibia, is an infection of his lower leg bone resulting from his injury. Typical symptoms include recurring pain, redness, swelling, and bone loss. Currently, “Brian is experiencing pain and inability to use his right leg,” AMHF tells us. “If not treated, Brian is at risk of pathological fracture of the tibia.” Treatment of osteomyelitis is a surgical technique to regenerate bone lost as a result of the infection. In this technique—known as bone transport—an orthopedic surgeon breaks the involved bone and attaches the bone fragments to an external fixation device. As the fracture begins to heal, the external fixator is adjusted to pull the healing fracture apart approximately one millimeter per day. Separating the fragments in this manner promotes bone growth and results in the restoration of the lost bone over time. After the accident, Brian was treated surgically, but the procedure was unsuccessful, and he cannot pay for the additional surgery that he needs. $1,500 in funding pays for the bone transport surgery as well as 12 days of hospital care, antibiotic therapy, and physiotherapy. Brian’s family has saved $110 to cover additional costs associated with his care. “We expect after a bone transport, Brian's leg will heal,” shares AMHF. “He will be able to use his leg again. Brian will be able to work.” "I had planned to marry and provide for my family before this accident,” says Brian. “I really hope I will be able to do that after this surgery.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Meet Htwe Yee, a 52-year-old mother and grandmother from Thailand. “Htwe Yee lives with her husband on the Thai-Burma border. Her husband supports them by working in construction. However, he only earns $9 a day and is already in his 60's and wants to retire. His income is enough to cover food costs but leaves very little for anything else” shares Burma Border Projects (BBP), our medical partner in the area. Htwe Yee has been diagnosed with a cervical polyp. “Htwe Yee suffers from abdominal and back pain," her doctors write. "She also experiences difficulty eating and breathing. She is already suffering from hypertension so she feels particularly upset about her current health situation." "Due to the pain she is not able to perform her usual tasks around her home such as cleaning and cooking," they continue. "She currently relies on the assistance of her two grandchildren aged thirteen and fourteen to help her with daily tasks for which she is very grateful." For $625, we can fund a procedure to remove Htwe Yee’s polyp. The BBP shares, “With treatment Htwe Yee can look forward to returning to a normal life, with less stress and pain. Treatment will also allow her grandchildren to focus on their studies rather than spend their time outside of school looking after their grandmother. She hopes they continue their education and possibly follow a career in medicine or education. Htwe Yee is looking forward to cooking again and being a better wife to her husband.” Together, we can help both Htwe Yee and her family!

$625raised
Fully funded