Guerdina is a student from Haiti. She lives in a small village in the mountains of central Haiti with her parents and 4 siblings. She likes going to school and would like to become a teacher. Guerdina has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever she suffered in childhood, and can no longer adequately pump blood through her body. Guerdina will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 29, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her valve; if they are unable to do so, they will implant an artificial replacement.. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $7500 to pay for surgery. Guerdina'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 Guerdina's family overseas. "I am hopeful that after my surgery I will feel healthy and normal," said Guerdina.

Khu is a 22-month-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, grandmother and an older sister in Ei Tu Hta Internally Displaced Camp in Hpa-pun Township, Karen State. Since birth, Khu has had an inguinal hernia. When he turned one and a half years old, he started to learn to speak. Since then, whenever he cried, he touched his scrotum and said that it was painful. His parents were very sad to see Khu in pain but they could not do anything for him. Fortunately, on October 10, 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 Khu's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 10 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Khu's mother said, “When Khu is in pain, he would ask me to carry him on my back. If I do not do it, he would cry a lot. I feel very sorry that I cannot help him”. Khu loves playing with his older sister and friends when he is not in pain. His father said, “I want to see him playing happily."

Jean is a mother of two from Haiti. She lives in a small city in southern Haiti with her husband and two young boys. Jean has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart has been severely damaged due to a rheumatic fever she suffered several years ago. Jean will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On September 11th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove her damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $35,000 to pay for surgery. Jean'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 Jean's family overseas. "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can play with my children and take care of them."

Than is a 57-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and her sister. Than 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. Currently, Than has difficulty breathing and her heartbeat is fast. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Than. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 12 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably.

John is a young man from Kenya. In June, he was hit by a motorbike and sustained injuries on his right leg. He is in chronic pain and cannot walk on his own. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 2, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure.