San is a 55-year-old woman who was born and raised in Thae Phyu village in Yangon Division, Burma. She lives with her husband, son, two daughters, son-in-law, and two-year-old grandson. She and her family are all subsistence farmers on their own land, which has pigs, chickens, and produce. In her free time, San likes to watch TV. When she was 14 or 15 years old, San first noticed a small growth on her neck—the start of the goiter. It was the size of the tip of her pinky finger. Her parents suggested she go to the clinic to investigate it and get surgery, but because it did not cause her pain or any other problems, she did not do anything about it. Gradually, as she aged, and with each of her four pregnancies, the goiter grew in size. Over the years, many people told her she could get treatment. In the last year, the goiter has started to make eating and drinking uncomfortable. Fortunately, she visited our medical partner and is scheduled to undergo thyroid surgery on June 18. She needs help funding this $1,500 procedure. She hopes that the surgery will make her neck better and allow her to continue to do her farm work long into the future.

Sean is a grandmother of thirteen from Cambodia. She is a rice farmer. She has three daughters, three sons, and thirteen grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Sean developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, itching, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 30, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope my vision is restored so I can lead an independent life and keep learning about Buddha."

Isaka is a baby from Tanzania. Isaka’s parents are both pastoralists. His mother helps her husband with milking the cows, but she does not earn any income of her own. Isaka has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Isaka traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 12. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Isaka's clubfoot repair. This treatment will allow him to walk, run, and play without pain or discomfort when he grows up. Isaka’s mother says, “I am happy that my Isaka will be okay and he will be able to have a normal happy childhood and that he will be able to walk like a normal child. Thank you so much for helping my son get this treatment.”

Sam is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son and enjoys spending time with her family. 43 years ago, Sam had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sam experiences inactive ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It is difficult for her to hear, and she often experiences ear discomfort. Sam traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 19, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I really hope my hearing is improved and I can more easily listen to my family members and return to work."

Myint is a 29-year-old who lives with his parents and older sister in Burma. He moves around different villages with the Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT). In early 2015, he began to feel pain in his back and noticed that his urine was cloudy. Once or twice a month, he would feel numbness and hotness in his lower abdomen. He visited a doctor and received an X-ray test and a ultrasound test. He was diagnosed with a kidney stone. The doctor gave him oral medication, which made him feel temporarily better. In July 2017, Myint's symptoms returned, and he visited our medical partner's care center. He underwent different tests, which showed that there were stones between his urethra and kidney. Now, he is scheduled to undergo a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy to treat the stones on January 17. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. He says, “If BCMF can find the donor for me to support my surgery, I will have no worries about the treatment cost. I feel less stressed and much happier now. My family will also not be worried or stressed.”

Luza is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and several older siblings and cousins in a rural, mountainous area of central Haiti. Her parents are both farmers. Luza 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 her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Luza also has Down syndrome. Luza will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On January 24, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart by sewing a patch across it. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $17,000 to pay for surgery. Luza'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 Luza's family overseas. Her mother says, "We are excited for this surgery so that Luza can run and play with her brothers and sisters."

Po is a 44-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two children in a rural village. She and her husband are subsistence farmers, growing peanuts and beans. Po was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. She began to experience frequent tiredness in 2014, and her symptoms intensified in 2017. She could not walk long distances due to heart palpitations. She often feels dizzy and even loses her appetite during extreme tiredness. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Po. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 13 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Po says, “I hope to continue to work on the farm with my husband. And bring my children back to take care of them. I want to be cured of my condition and I am not worried about having to go through a surgery. I believe in the surgeon who will take care of my condition.”

Alfred is a 30-year-old father of one from Kenya who loves discussing politics and watching the news when he is well. While his wife is a farm laborer, Alfred has been unable to work for the past year due to his condition. Since June 2015, Alfred has been suffering symptoms of a brain tumor. While he was first diagnosed with epilepsy, MRI test results received towards the end of 2016 indicated that Alfred has a brain tumor. In April 2017, Alfred became paralyzed on his left side. The wait for surgery at his provincial hospital was too long, so Alfred was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, for a craniotomy. Alfred complains of loss of balance and vision, painful head migraines, and altered speech. If not treated, the brain tumor might increase in size and result in brain damage or death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,495 to fund Alfred’s brain surgery, which is scheduled to take place on June 23. Alfred says, "I wish to be treated and work hard for my family. I want my child to read and excel in future."

Mirlene is a 48-year-old woman from Haiti. She is the mother of three children, and she currently lives with her eldest daughter in Port-au-Prince. Before she became ill, Mirlene worked as a housekeeper. In her free time, Mirlene enjoys going to church and participating in church activities. She did not have the opportunity to attend school, but she made sure that all of her kids attended to school. In November 2016, Mirlene felt a small mass in her right breast. However, the mass did not cause her any pain. She asked her friends and neighbors where she should go to seek help, and was referred to St. Luc Family Hospital (our medical partner's care center) and their cancer program. In December 2016, Mirlene underwent a biopsy and was diagnosed with cancer. Her diagnosis did not sadden her, and she was ready to fight. After four sessions of chemotherapy, Mirlene will undergo a mastectomy on August 26. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, has requested $1,085 to fund Mirlene's procedure. This amount will cover the full cost of Mirlene's treatment, including a two-night hospital stay, supplies, medication, labs, physician and nurse time, radiology, and travel expenses. After her surgery, she will also have four sessions of chemotherapy again. After treatment, Mirlene will be able to get back into work and support herself and her children.

Cho is a 53-year-old Burmese woman. She lives with her husband in a small village and owns and operates a small snack shop. Her husband works as a construction laborer. In 2014, Cho began experiencing pain in her left pelvic area. One of Cho's neighbors told her about a local medical clinic, and she decided to seek treatment there. There, she was given pain medication and told to return if she continued to have symptoms. Cho's pain resumed in 2017, and she was then diagnosed with cancerous fibroids in her uterus. Thankfully, Cho was referred to a Watsi medical partner, and they will be sponsoring her treatment. Cho will need $1,500 to cover a hysterectomy procedure. After surgery, Cho is expected to live pain-free and continue working. She plans on giving back to the monks at a local monastery and would like to live a long happy life.

Ribert is 14 months old. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother, who works as a paralegal, and with his grandparents. He especially likes playing with his grandparents while his mother is at work. Ribert was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. Ribert also has Down syndrome. Ribert will fly to the Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On May 19, she will undergo cardiac surgery. This $15,000 surgery is subsidized by Have a Heart Cayman Islands. Ribert'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 Ribert's family overseas. "I have been praying that Ribert would live long enough to have this surgery. I am glad we are so close to the day," says Ribert's mother.

Hak is a 26-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He is married and has one son. In his free time, Hak enjoys watching TV, listening to music, and looking after his son. Hak's left shoulder is dislocated, making it difficult for him to use his arm and causing him pain. His doctor at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), has recommended an ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) surgery to appropriately realign his left shoulder. CSC has requested $411 for Hak's procedure and hospital stay, scheduled for February 15. After the surgery, Hak will be able to move freely again.