"When I am big I want to be a soccer player," shares Jhonathan. "I want to be a great goalie." Jhonathan's mother brought her son to our clinic because she noticed that two years ago, he started developing lesions on his skin. Where there were lesions, Jhonathan did not have muscle. His left arm and leg started to become deformed. They went to various clinics and doctors and specialists, but nobody could give them a diagnosis or an effective treatment, so he has gotten worse. When he came to our clinic, he was diagnosed with Scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that attacks the body's tissues, first the skin, muscle, then bone. In recent months, new lesions have started to pop up on his right side, worrying his parents. Jhonathan is in third grade. He loves to go to school and study and learn, and he has made many friends. He likes to play soccer at school, he is the goalie for his class. He also likes to read and share with his friends. He isn't bothered by the fact that his arm and leg are deforming, he is still the same smiley and intelligent child as always. He does not care that the other kids make jokes about him--he is very strong and knows how to stay strong. His family has few resources, and they cannot afford the expensive imaging, labs, and medicines that their son needs to prevent future lesions and manage his symptoms. This treatment will give Jhonathan a full diagnostic work-up to confirm his diagnosis and help him start on medications that will prevent future lesions and deformities. Although this is a difficult and intense treatment, his parents are hopeful that he will respond well, and that he will be able to continue to play soccer, go to school, and live a full and independent life. "We hope that the treatment will be successful, that there won't be side effects," his mother shared. "We appreciate all of you for all of the help so that Jhonathan can keep moving forward and accomplish his dreams."

Paulino is a 55-year-old father to two sons and one daughter, and a pastor in his local church in Guatemala. Paulino has metastatic adenocarcinoma -- a cancerous tumor on his cheek. "Several years ago Paulino noticed a mass on his right cheek, and took himself to the doctor to get it looked at," shares our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "After some studies at this hospital, the medics sent him to another where he did more tests. All in all it took him six years to finally end up at Hospital Roosevelt (a government hospital in Guatemala) to start receiving chemotherapy." "He started in October with chemo, but came to us last week, because he no longer had any money to continue with treatment," WK shares. "He needs several more rounds of chemotherapy and perhaps surgery afterwards to remove the mass, but he and his family have already exhausted all of the funds they have paying for the labs, doctor visits, transport and first cycle of chemo." Paulino's three children have had to drop out of school to help work and pay for his treatment. His wife is currently working two jobs. "Without WK and Watsi assistance, Paulino will not be able to afford the rest of treatment, and the cancer will continue to spread." For $1475, Paulino will continue to receive chemotherapy. This will allow his children to return to school so that Paulino and his family have the opportunity to return to their lives as usual. "I just want to heal, to be able to be there for my family, continue with my life and preach the word of God," Paulino adds.