Aleaza is a baby from Haiti. She lives with her mother, grandparents, and three older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. Aleaza has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and short of breath. She also has a condition called pulmonary hypertension, in which the blood pressures to her lungs are higher than normal. As a result, before she can be considered for surgery, she needs to have a diagnostic catheterization procedure to ensure that surgery can be done safely. To determine if Aleaza's condition is operable, she must undergo a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, a procedure that is not available in Haiti. During the procedure, a catheter probe will be inserted into her heart to perform the necessary measurements and tests. On August 20, she will travel to the Dominican Republic to receive the scan at our medical partner's care center, Clinica Corominas. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to cover the costs of Aleaza's travel expenses, catheterization procedure, and lab work. Her mother says, "Our family has been working very hard to try to keep Aleaza healthy so that she can have a chance for surgery."

Barrack is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of two children. One year ago, Barrack sustained burns on his right elbow after boiling water spilled on his hand. He cannot straighten or bend his hand fully. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Barrack receive treatment. On August 6, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand freely. Now, his family needs help to fund this $799 procedure. “We have been looking for help concerning my son’s condition and are still waiting for help. My desire is to see his hand straightened and able to do his work independently," says his father.

Kasimi is a man from Kenya. He works on a plantation and is a father of five children. His wife also works as a laborer. Recently, Kasimi sustained a spinal injury. Without treatment, it could result in total paralysis. Currently, he is wearing a brace for support. Fortunately, Kasimi is scheduled to undergo a spinal fusion surgery at our medical partner's care center on June 5. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund the treatment. Kasimi says, “I wish to be treated and resume my fatherly duties."

Ray is a five-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and eleven-year-old brother. Ray will start school this year. He loves to play with toy crane with his older brother. Since he was a month old, Ray has had right inguinal hernia. He experiences pain. Fortunately, on June 4, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Ray's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 4 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Ray’s mother says, “I hope that my son will get better soon and be able to play with his favorite toy crane again.”

Joseph is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He is a father of two children. In November 2017, Joseph was ferrying a client on his motorcycle when he was involved in a road accident. He fractured his right tibia and had a cast put on the fracture. Since then, he has not managed to get further treatment. He is unable to walk without assistance and is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 15, Joseph will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Joseph says, “My wish is to be able to go back to work and provide for my young family."

Luciennie is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her mother and two sisters in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She stopped her studies several years ago due to her heart ailment, but hopes to return to school once she is feeling better. Luciennie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. She suffered an untreated strep throat as a teenager, which infected the valves of her heart and caused them to become severely damaged. As a result, they cannot adequately pump blood through her body, leaving her fatigued and short of breath. Luciennie will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 29, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her damaged valve if possible. If not, they will implant an artificial valve to replace it. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $60,000 to pay for surgery. Luciennie'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 Luciennie's family overseas. She says, "My family and I are praying for everyone who is helping me!"

Htwe is a laborer from Burma. He is a 32-year-old man who lives with his wife, two daughters, and son in a village in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, Burma. He supports his family by cutting and selling bamboo. He is not able to save money or pay for healthcare. In October 2017, Htwe noticed that his eyes and skin turned yellow. Now, he cannot sleep well and was forced to quit work. In early January 2018, he visited Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center in Thailand, across the border from Myawaddy. The doctors performed a blood test, a urine test, and an x-ray, but they could not provide a diagnosis. They believe he has a kidney condition. Doctors want Htwe to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Htwe's CT scan and care, scheduled for January 25. He says, "I hope that I get better soon, so I am able to support my family again, and donate some money to help other people that are in need of medical care."

Abigael is a 13-year-old girl from a village in Kenya. When she was two years old, her mother noticed that her legs were bowing and her gait was changing. Since then, the condition has worsened. Abigael is now unable to walk properly. Abigael has bilateral genu valgus, or knock knees. She needs surgery to help her walk correctly and attend school. Fortunately, on January 30, she will undergo an osteotomy to re-align the bones and joints in her legs. Now, her family needs help to raise $1,165 to pay for surgery. Her mother says, “I am appealing to Watsi to assist my daughter to go for surgery. The estimated bill is too big for us, considering I am a farmer and my husband works as a casual cook. I hope my daughter will continue with her studies like other children.”

Htun is a 34-year-old man living with his family in Burma. Htun has experienced several episodes of jaundice since he was young. Then, a few months ago, he noticed a change in the color of his eyes and skin. He visited a nearby clinic, where the doctor diagnosed him with a gastric problem. However, the medication he received had no effect on his symptoms. He then visited another hospital, where he received ultrasound imaging, which revealed stones in his gallbladder. He then visited our medical partner's hospital, Mae Sot General Hospital. On August 16, Htun witll receive a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), which will cost $1,500. He looks forward to recovery, saying, “I've had to stop working because of my symptoms and I worry about not supporting my family. When I get better I will go back to work in order to support them.”

Lovensky is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents, brothers, and sisters in a vilage in central Haiti. He is in high school, and would like to go on to university and become an engineer. Lovensky has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart has become severely damaged from a rheumatic fever, and can no longer adequately pump blood through his body. Lovensky will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On December 8, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will replace his damaged valve with an implanted mechanical valve. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $65,000 to pay for surgery. Lovensky'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 Lovensky's family overseas. He says, "I am very excited to have my surgery and gain more energy and strength!"

Michenaida is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, two brothers, and two sisters. She enjoys attending school, as well as going to church and singing hymns. Michenaida has a cardiac condition called pulmonary valve atresia. Among other defects, including at least two holes in the heart, Michenaida was born without one of her four heart valves. Her multiple conditions leave her weak and short of breath. If not treated, they would lead to heart failure. Michenaida will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On November 6, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which she will first be assessed with a catheter to determine the plan for treatment, and then if found to be operable will be taken to the operating room for closure of the defects. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $22,000 to pay for surgery. Michenaida'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 Michenaida's family overseas. Michenaida's mother said, "Our family is all praying that our daughter's heart can be made normal so she can be healthy and active."

Sialu is a girl from Sierra Leone. Sialu lives in Freetown with a very large extended family. She is always smiling and making new friends in the neighborhood. She has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, a heart condition involving several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage in one of the heart's valves. As a result, not enough oxygen is delivered to her body, leaving her sickly and weak. Without surgery, the condition would be fatal. Sialu will fly to the Narayana Institute Of Cardiac Sciences in Bangalore, India to receive treatment. On July 27, she will undergo cardiac surgery. Although Sialu is not from Haiti, Haiti Cardiac Alliance is collaborating with partners to make her surgery possible. Sialu's family also needs help to fund the costs of travel. The $1,343 bill covers her flight to the hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, will also provide support to the family as they travel overseas. Her mother says, "We feel like our prayers are being answered now that we know our daughter is able to have surgery soon!"