John NeibergerUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER
John's Story

John joined Watsi on June 21st, 2014. Ten years ago, John joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. John's most recent donation traveled 8,500 miles to support Robert, a 7-year-old boy from Kenya, to fund spinal surgery.

Impact

John has funded healthcare for 75 patients in 14 countries.

Patients funded by John

Melissa is a 16-year-old girl who resides in Sanawari, Arusha region and currently lives with her grandparents. Her parents are based in another region due to work commitments, and they diligently strive to send money to cover Melissa’s living expenses as well as assist with other financial needs. At school, Melissa especially likes her art classes. Melissa suffers from a condition called bilateral varus, causing stress on her knees and lower limbs. She was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition that developed six years ago. The condition causes stress on her knees and lower limbs. Her legs are not severely bent, but she endures considerable pain when standing for prolonged periods and walking extended distances, leading to easy fatigue. As a result, Melissa experiences pain when walking long distances. Previous attempts at medical intervention involved a visit to the hospital, where she was prescribed medication, vitamin D, and calcium. Unfortunately, they had to discontinue the treatment after one month due to financial constraints. Melissa's family discovered our medical partner's care center, Kafika house occurred during a hospital visit for treatment, where a doctor directed them to the center. They travelled to the facility and were assessed. Surgical treatment is deemed necessary to improve her condition so she can have a full life ahead. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery and treatment for Melissa at their care center Kafika House. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 16th. Treatment will hopefully restore Melissa's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Melissa's grandmother says: “I hope after this treatment, my granddaughter will be free from pain when she walks.”

$880raised
Fully funded

Mu Yeh, a 23-year-old woman, resides in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand, along with her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and sister. Her parents run a snack-selling business from their home, while her brother and sister-in-law are currently unemployed. Mu Yeh's sister attends school within the camp, and she herself is a homemaker. In her leisure time, Mu Yeh finds joy in weaving traditional Karen ethnic clothes and visiting her relatives in the refugee camp. Each month, they receive 1,303 baht (approximately 43 USD) on a cash card from an organization called The Border Consortium. Additionally, they raise pigs which they sell when in need of extra cash. Despite their modest monthly income, it barely covers their daily expenses. Fortunately, they receive essential healthcare from Malteser International (MI) Thailand, which is provided free of charge in the refugee camp. In October 2022, Mu Yeh noticed a mass in her left breast. Initially, she dismissed it as normal, but by May 2023, the mass had grown and began causing her pain. Currently, Mu Yeh experiences considerable pain and discomfort in her left breast due to the large mass. The pain radiates towards the left side of her torso, making it difficult for her to carry anything heavy with her left hand. Seeking medical attention, she visited the hospital in the refugee camp, where the doctor referred her to Mae Sariang Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. On July 4th, with the assistance of MI staff, Mu Yeh underwent an ultrasound of both breasts. The results revealed cysts in her right breast and confirmed the presence of a mass in her left breast. Subsequently, she underwent a biopsy. During her follow-up appointment on July 18th, the doctor diagnosed her with fibroadenoma in her left breast and fibrocystic changes in her right breast. The doctor recommended removing the benign mass from her left breast under general anesthesia. Her surgery was scheduled for August 2nd. However, unable to afford the procedure, MI staff referred her to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) for financial assistance to access treatment. BCMF is now requesting $1500 to help fund the procedure Mu Yeh needs. Mu Yeh said, “In the future, I would like to become a medic. When there is training in the refugee camp, I will register because I would like to study medicine.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded