Megan Keesee
Megan's Story

Megan joined Watsi on October 2nd, 2015. 12 other people also joined Watsi on that day! Megan's most recent donation supported Sao, a mother from Cambodia, to treat a chronic ear condition.

Impact

Megan has funded healthcare for 7 patients in 5 countries.

Patients funded by Megan

"I am unhappy that I have right ear pain, and it is difficult to communicate with other people," shares Sao, a 39-year-old wife and mother. She works as a cook and cares for her parents in her home in Cambodia. “For two years, Sao has experienced discharge from her right ear every day as well as hearing loss,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. “She has been treated with antibiotics at another hospital, but her condition did not improve.” Doctors at CSC have discovered a cholesteatoma—an abnormal skin growth located behind the eardrum—in Sao’s right ear. A cholesteatoma initially develops as a cyst after chronic ear infections or perforation of the eardrum. Over time, the cyst sheds layers of old skin that collect within the ear. Without treatment, a cholesteatoma can grow large enough to cause hearing loss, dizziness, or facial paralysis. Treatment for Sao is a mastoidectomy, a surgical procedure in which doctors remove the diseased cells in the hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull behind the ears. The cells—known as mastoid air cells—are diseased as a result of the chronic ear infections that spread to the skull structures near Sao’s right ear. Doctors will also remove the cholesteatoma that has grown behind her right eardrum. $809 pays for surgery for Sao as well as two hearing tests, one night in the hospital, one day of inpatient post-operative care, and three outpatient follow-up visits in the month following surgery. “Sao’s ear discharge and pain will stop after the surgery,” says CSC. Sao’s uncle, who accompanied her to the appointment at CSC, looks forward to a successful procedure for his niece. "I hope after the operation is done, Sao's ear discharge will stop, and she can have good hearing and health,” he shares.

$809raised
Fully funded

Maria, a 17-month-old girl from Guatemala, loves to play with a doll lent to her by a neighbor. “Maria is a generally happy child,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Maria is the youngest of five children and her mother is pregnant with a 6th. She is cared for by her 10-year-old sister who generally watches over all of the children, while their father works on a committee for the government health center and their mother works weaving textiles to sell.” Maria has acute malnutrition, and in the last several months she has been sick often with diarrhea and a cough. “Maria is weak and she is far below the average height and the average weight for her age,” says WK. With another child on the way, Maria’s mother does not have the resources to take Maria to a doctor. Her family fears they cannot afford the protein rich foods and the medicine Maria needs to recoup her weight and height. Childhood malnutrition has serious consequences that persist into adulthood. “Her immune system will continue to weaken and mental and physical development will be compromised which will, in turn, affect her ability to succeed in school and the work force,” explains WK. With $535, Maria will be provided with micronutrients, food supplements, and medication to treat her diarrhea and cough. After treatment, she will have more energy and her risk for chronic diseases later in life will be reduced. Lastly, her mother will enroll in WK's nutrition education courses. Maria’s mother shares, “Parents want what is best for their children, but without money we just simply cannot achieve this.”

$535raised
Fully funded