Nine-month-old Myson "has two very devoted parents," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "But he currently lives in an orphanage in Haiti due to his illness so that they can help keep him as healthy and stable as possible." Myson has three older brothers and sisters who like to visit him and play with him whenever they can. Myson currently suffers from a congenital heart disease called ventricular septal defect. "A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart," HCA tells us. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. If not corrected with surgery, the condition would eventually be fatal." $1,500 will fund overseas transportation and preparation for Myson's heart surgery. Health City Cayman Islands has already subsidized $5,000 of the treatment cost. "I am so happy that Myson can have surgery and I am praying that everything will go well," his mother shares.

Lorvenson is a 20-month-old Haitian boy who lives with his parents. According to our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), Lorvenson has a collection of pus in his lungs called an empyema. "Lorvenson started having trouble breathing, has a fever and severe abdominal pain, cries a lots during the nights and he has lost his appetite." His father took him to the hospital where CT scans revealed Lorevenson's empyema. Both of Lorvenson’s parents are unemployed and the family cannot pay for the surgery themselves. PM adds that, "his father says he is excited to find a job after the surgery of his baby in order to provide him a healthier life." With $1,500, Lorvenson will be admitted to the pediatric critical care unit where doctors will drain the pus from his lungs, and treat his infection with antibiotics. PM expects that after surgery, “Lorvenson will be healthy again and go back home with his family."

Meet Sera, a 46-year-old mother of five from Kenya. “Sera sells roasted maize and washes clothes to earn a living,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “She lives with her two youngest children who are fully dependent on her.” Sera has fibroids, which cause her severe abdominal pain. “The pain is so bad that Sera often has to miss work,” says AMHF. “She started having lower abdominal pain and back aches some time ago. When the pain became too much and over the counter medication no longer helped, Sera sought medical care.” “After a scan showed that she had fibroids and would need surgery, Sera has been working hard to raise the money needed for her treatment, but she is unable to raise enough money needed for this surgery,” says AMHF. With $800, Sera will be able to receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. The surgery will stop the pain and allow Sera to return to work and care for her family. "The pain causes me to miss work and turn down cleaning jobs,” shares Sera. “I want to be able to work well again.”

This is Elia, an eight-year-old boy from Tanzania. Elia is a previous Watsi patient who first presented with a swelling in his left cheek. He was subsequently diagnosed with a giant cell tumor, and underwent curretage, marsupialization and reconstruction, followed by weekly intralesional injections for six weeks. The procedure was a success as the mass decreased in size. However, while it was expected that Elia’s face would have regressed and bone healed, Elia's swelling did not completely disappear. He needs another surgery to completely remove this mass so as to avoid a pathological fracture of his mandible. For $920, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can perform a mass excision surgery to help Elia heal properly. "We saw some good changes after the first surgery," his mother shares. "We hope that the second surgery will show even better results, leaving Elia with his normal face."

Meet Moisa, a two-year-old toddler from Haiti. Moisa was born with a congenital heart disease called Tetralogy of Fallot, which causes a hole to form between two chambers of the heart and causes a muscular blockage in one of the heart valves. “As a result, blood cannot circulate normally through her body, and she is at constant risk of sudden death,” says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Moisa was born with down syndrome, and she lives with her parents and three older brothers. “Although she has special needs, she is fully involved in the life of her family and has many friends in the neighborhood,” shares HCA. Moisa likes to wear pretty dresses and play, especially blowing bubbles. For $1,500, Moisa will receive the cardiac surgery she needs. Following the surgery, she will no longer have cardiac symptoms or be at risk of sudden death. "Moisa makes everyone smile when they are around her,” expresses her mother. “We are so happy she is getting the surgery she needs!"

Meet Edegeline, a one-year-old girl from Haiti who is the first and only child in her family. Edegeline’s mother is a teacher and her father is currently unemployed. Both of them work very hard to make sure their beautiful daughter grows up healthy and strong. Our medical partners at Project Medishare first met Edegeline when her parents sought help for her cleft lip and palate. “This condition prevents her from eating and drinking normally in addition to leaving her with a facial deformity,” they write. “Edegeline’s parents cannot pay for the surgery she needs because they don’t have enough money or anybody to help them.” For $960, we can help Project Medishare provide Edegeline with reparative surgery to her mouth which will “give her access to a better life and good health”. “She is my joy and we do the best we can to help her and provide her with a good future," her mother says. Let’s do our part to help Edegeline out!

Santos is a 63-year-old man from Guatemala who gets up at 4am every day to farm a variety of crops including corn, berries, and tomatoes. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, Santos has recently “been having serious seizures that cause loss of consciousness.” These seizures are dangerous because they cause Santos to fall and they also impact his ability to care for his family and continue to farm. Wuqu’ Kawoq shares, “Given how healthy he is with no issues like heart disease or diabetes, we are strongly suspicious that his seizures are from an infection of the brain with a tapeworm parasite. This is an extremely common issue here in Guatemala.” For $745, Santos will receive the imaging to define the extent of his illness and medications to kill the parasites and control his seizures. His doctors expect “a complete resolution of his symptoms” allowing him to return to work and spending time with his family. Santos says, “This is the scariest thing that has ever happened to me.” Let’s help him get back to the active lifestyle he led before!