Saw Myint is a 53-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his retired mother, a niece, and a nephew in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Karen State, Burma. As an agricultural day laborer and occasionally as a motorbike taxi driver, Saw Myint is the sole provider for the family. His income does not cover the household expenses, let alone medical needs. For his medical consultations, Saw Myint has to miss work and is forced to borrow small amounts of money from his neighbors. In mid-2023, Saw Myint noticed a small growth on his lower lip that did not go away. He visited the IDP camp clinic, where the medic checked his lower lip and mouth area. He gave him one month's medication and asked him to return when the medicine was used up. However, the growth continued to increase in size and started to cause pain. Saw Myint was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, where he was diagnosed with cancer. He is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on February 13th and needs your help to raise $1,500 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. “I do not have much free time since I am the only contributor to the family, but I really wish for things to go back to the way they were before this,” Myint explained. “Thank you BCMF and donors for helping and supporting me, I could not have paid for the surgery by myself.”

Roba is an adorable three-year-old boy from Ethiopia who loves cars and soft drinks. His father is a traditional farmer who cultivates crops that yield only once a year, while his mother is a housewife. Their family's income just covers their basic needs each month. Roba was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction and increased risk for other health complications. Due to their family's financial situation, they were not able to seek treatment for him. Fortunately, Roba is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Roba's father said, "After the surgery, we hope he will fully heal and have the opportunity to learn and achieve great things. This condition has been a major obstacle to his dreams and future success, but the surgery will change everything."

Molly is a 48-year-old woman from Malawi. She and her husband have two sons, aged 19 and 20 years old. Her husband works at the city council as a clerk, and Molly works as a farmer. Her favorite ways to spend her time are talking with her family and praying. For four years, Molly has been experiencing lower abdominal pains, dizziness, heart palpitations, weakness, and other worrisome symptoms. She visited a local hospital and was given medication, but unfortunately, her condition did not improve. This past year, her symptoms have intensified so that she is unable to work on her farm. Molly has been in and out of hospitals as a result and was able to undergo screening tests, leading doctors to diagnose her with uterine fibroids. Recently, she was referred to our medical partner's care center for urgent attention, and the doctors determined she needs to undergo surgery. If left untreated, uterine fibroids grow in size and number, worsening a person's symptoms. Molly will also be at risk for developing anemia, which may be fatal. Fortunately, our medical partner can help Molly receive treatment. On February 14th, she will undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Once recovered, Molly can resume her daily activities free of pain. Molly contributed a co-pay toward her care and is requesting assistance to raise $1,363 to fund her surgery. Molly said, "I am ready to live without a womb, and I can't wait to be myself again. This condition is very painful and weakening, and I am looking forward to your support that will save my life."

Moe is a 16-year-old girl from Burma who lives with her elder sister, aunt, uncle, and four cousins in Karen state. Her parents live in Bangkok, Thailand where her father works as a mason. Moe’s aunt and her family run an online shop. Moe’s elder sister is currently suffering from heart disease and undertook treatments at the hospital in Karen State. Moe attended school but had to pause her studies due to her ongoing health problems. Moe experiences abdominal pain and is taking oral painkillers. Moe was diagnosed with kidney stones and physicians at Mae Sot General Hospital determined that Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) could resolve his symptoms. ESWL is a procedure that can break up the stones in the urinary system and the fragments will exit in the urine. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on January 7th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. After her surgery, Moe plans to work at a beauty salon to have a regular and support her family with their medical expenses. Moe's aunt said, "Without donors, Moe’s surgery would not have been possible. We even thought to find donors for her surgery through online post but when we learned that BCMF and its donors would cover the costs of my niece’s treatment, our family was very happy." Moe added, “Thank you so much to BCMF and the donors for helping me and I hope you can help more people like me in the future.”

Mwashi is a 13-year-old girl with a cheerful personality and a passion for fashion. She is the second-born in a family of five children and enjoys spending her free time playing with her friends despite the challenges she faces. Mwashi has clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than they should be, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Mwashi's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on December 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Mwashi's clubfoot treatment. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and wear shoes without difficulty. Mwashi says, "I want to be able to walk comfortably and wear shoes. When I get better, I will ask my parents to get me nice shoes to wear."

Eithan is a five-year-old boy from Bolivia. He lives in the western part of Bolivia in a subtropical area with his mother and younger brother. His mother is an agricultural worker. Ethan enjoys playing with his younger brother. Eithan has Shone's syndrome, a condition that includes having a mitral valve that is too narrow as well as a narrowing of the aorta. These cause blood to back up in his heart and lead to heart failure. On November 20th, Eithan will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, Surgeons will correct these conditions by opening the passages to the right size. Eithan's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Eithan's mother said, "I cannot sleep thinking about my son's condition. That is the only thing that I could think of and now he will have his surgery. I am so grateful!"

Ko Ko is a 14-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his grandparents, parents, great-aunt, younger twin brothers, and younger sister. He is in fifth grade. Ko Ko's father runs a photocopy and printing shop and his mother is a homemaker and looks after his younger sister. Ko Ko's grandparents and great-aunt are retired and help Ko Ko’s mother with household chores. In his free time, Ko Ko likes to read the Qur’an. Ko Ko said, “I want to become an imam in the future.” Ko Ko was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backward. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Ko Ko easily tires, especially when he climbs stairs. Sometimes, he feels a tightness in his chest. Due to his condition, Ko Ko often misses school. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Ko Ko. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 18th and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Ko Ko’s mother said, “I could not afford to pay for transportation to Thailand so Ko Ko could not undergo treatment sooner. I know that the surgery cost is expensive, and I cannot afford to pay for it. I am very happy that Ko Ko will have the chance to undergo treatment. Thank you for supporting and helping us with his treatment.”

Adriel is a preschooler from Bolivia. He lives with his grandmother, who adopted him and his two sisters after his parents left the country. Adriel attends a day program for children with special needs. He likes playing with his sisters and helping his grandmother. Adriel has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and unable to grow properly. Adriel also has Down syndrome. On September 18th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will insert a device attached to the end of a catheter into his heart, and plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Adriel's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Adriel's grandmother shared, " I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping this dear boy to have a healthy heart!"

Naw Hser is a 21-year-old woman, currently living in a refugee camp in Thailand with her husband, son, parents-in-law, and two brothers-in-law. She is originally from Karen State in Myanmar, and has been at the refugee camp since March 2020. Her plans to return to Myanmar after visiting her brother were interrupted by unexpected COVID-19 travel restrictions and the ensuing civil war, leaving her far away from her home. Presently, her husband works twice a week as a laborer, unloading food rations from trucks. Naw Hser and her parents-in-law manage the household, while one of her brothers-in-law is a student and the other works as a day laborer. Her husband's aunt, who lives in the US sends them 3,300 baht (approx. 100 USD) once a year. They also receive 1,172 baht (approx. 39 USD) on a cash card every month from The Border Consortium. Their total monthly income of 3,047 baht (approx. 102 USD) is hardly enough to cover their basic needs. They receive free basic health care in the hospital in the refugee camp. Naw Hser is currently expecting her second child. Due to a higher-risk pregnancy, her doctors have recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Hser undergo a C-Section on August 14th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Hser needs your support. Naw Hser says: "I aspire to become an assistant teacher at a nursery school in the future."

Juanita is a widow with two children who is currently unemployed due to her physical limitations as a senior citizen. She is financially dependent on her daughter who is a single parent. Her daughter's income working as a factory worker is barely enough for the family's needs. Four years ago, Juanita began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain and vomiting. She endured the pain for the past years but in the past two months, it occurred more often. Juanita has been diagnosed with gallstones and was advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, which is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Juanita is scheduled to undergo surgery on July 13th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Juanita's surgery and care. Juanita said, "Thank you very much for your help. I hope you will continue helping more patients like me because it really is a huge help. Private hospitals are very expensive and there is no way we can afford it so I am very grateful."

Manny is a 27-year-old father of two from Philippines. Manny used to work as a construction worker to provide for his family. Due to his condition, and because of the nature of his work, he had to stop working. Currently, his family lives with his sister who supports them financially. He is eager to undergo the surgery, recover, and eventually return to work. Last year, Manny began to experience troubling symptoms, including consistent pain in his abdominal area that also affected his back. Manny has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his 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), Manny is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on June 21st. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Manny's surgery and care. Manny shared: "I wish to recover from my condition to have better health and fulfill my duty as the head and provider of the family I built. I am grateful for this opportunity to get treated without spending anything. This is a great help not just for me but also for my family."

Khing is a 32-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband in Karen State. Khaing used to work as a server in a restaurant but had to stop because of her condition. Her husband is also a server. In February 2024, Khing started to feel a mass in her abdomen. There is swelling, discomfort, and pain. Khing was diagnosed with a left ovarian tumor. Khing sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, and is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on May 20th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Khing said, “Since my condition worsened, I stopped working, and only my husband has an income. I couldn’t send money and support my parents. When I learned that the donors would pay for my surgery treatment, I felt very happy and thankful to all donors and BCMF for covering my surgery treatment. Without help from donors, I would have had to borrow money from my friends with interest. When I recover fully, I will continue to work at my previous work and support my parents."