Loel is a father of two from the Philippines. He worked as a construction worker and did minor house repairs. However, due to his condition, he had to stop working. He depends on his wife's income as a house helper for their daily needs. Nine years ago, Loel began to experience troubling symptoms causing pain, discomfort, and bleeding. He was diagnosed with mixed hemorrhoids. As his condition was left untreated, it worsened. Loel requires surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Loel receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy on April 27th. During this procedure, surgeons will remove his hemorrhoids. A portion of the cost of his treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,285 to cover the cost of Loel's procedure and care. Loel shared, "Thank you very much for your help. Considering my income, I will never be able to afford the surgery that I need so I am very grateful that there are people and organizations who are willing to help people like us."

Catherine is a 38-year-old woman from Malawi. She was born into a family of six children, but tragically, both her parents passed away. Catherine presently works as a sales representative and lives alone, but has two dependents: one in secondary school and the other in primary school. Four years ago, Catherine began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling and pain in the neck. More recently, the pain has worsened, affecting both her shoulders which is greatly impacting her well-being. She sought medical attention at a local hospital where different tests were done. She was diagnosed with a goiter and was scheduled for surgery. In the waiting period, Catherine was advised by a friend to seek medical treatment at our partner care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH). On April 22nd, she was reviewed at PIH and the goiter diagnosis was confirmed. The surgeon recommended a thyroidectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. However, Catherine is unable to afford the surgical treatment costs. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare, is helping Catherine receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 7th to relieve the pain and swelling, and prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Now, Catherine needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure. Catherine says: "Facing the hurdles of life alone has not dimmed my determination. Despite the challenges, I am hopeful that I will overcome this obstacle and I am committed to providing for my dependents. With the upcoming surgery, I see a path back to normalcy, where I can excel in my role as a sales representative and confidently pursue my goals once more."

Mutura is an 11-year-old, 5th grade student from Kenya. She is one of six children and has three brothers and two sisters. Her mother does lots of different kinds of daily work, but mostly washes clothes in their neighborhood. Matura's oldest sister does some daily work and helps her mother buy food for their family. One day, when Mutura was standing alongside the road with one of her siblings and a neighbor, she was hit by a moving motorcycle that had lost control. She was brought to Maua Hospital. She had some bruises and an open tibia fracture that was severely bleeding. Because of her injuries she is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 23rd, Mutura will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. a procedure which helps fix severely broken bones. With treatment, the fracture will heal. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,079 to fund this procedure. Matura's Mother says, "Please help my daughter to undergo the surgery."

May is a 59-year-old mother of four, living with her family in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. While May and one of her daughters manage their household, her husband serves as a minister. Her two sons teach at a bible school within the camp. May began experiencing stomach pain and noticed an increase in the size of her abdomen. She has difficulty moving, sitting for long periods, walking, and sleeping. The doctors diagnosed May with a suspected malignant ovarian tumor and our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping her access treatment. She is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on March 6th at Mae Sot General Hospital. She is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. May said, “My condition means my children have to help me with my household and personal duties when my pain becomes too much. I want to go back to working with my husband in the church after my surgery if I am okay.”

Jasmin is an 11 year-old girl from Bolivia who needs heart surgery. Jasmin lives with her father, a police officer, and her mother, a nurse. She has one older brother and one younger sister in La Paz. Jasmin likes to paint, draw in coloring books, and help her family with errands. Jasmin was born with Down syndrome, and also a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving Jasmin weak and short of breath. Our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund surgery to repair Jasmin's heart. During surgery, doctors will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer pass through it. Once her heart is repaired, Jasmin will be able to breathe easier and have more energy and ability to make the most of everyday. Jasmin's mother shares: "we're so happy that the time has finally arrived for her surgery, our family has been waiting a long time for this moment."

Sarin is a 53-year-old single woman who lives in Phnom Penh province and is the primary caregiver for her elderly parents. She has five living siblings (sadly, two of her siblings died young) who help to support her and her parents. Most of her day is taken up with caring for her parents, cooking, and cleaning. In the evenings, Sarin likes to practice dhamma - a form of Buddhist meditation - as well as listen to the village monks pray on the local radio station. For many years, Sarin had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. If untreated, a cholesteatoma can cause erosion of the three small bones located in the middle ear, resulting in nerve deterioration, imbalance, vertigo, and deafness. It can also affect and erode, through the enzymes it produces, the thin bone structure that isolates the top of the ear from the brain, risking further infection with serious complications. Sarin's cholesteatoma has caused her many problems. She suffers ear discharge, headaches, and a gradual loss of hearing. It is difficult for her to communicate with her family and other villagers, and she is embarrassed that she cannot hear well. She visited several hospitals seeking care but could not afford to pay for surgery. One of the hospitals suggested she visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Sarin traveled to CSC and, after examination, learned that she will be able to receive treatment. On October 17, the ENT surgeons at CSC will remove the cholesteatoma by performing a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. CSC is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Sarin said: "I hopeful that this operation will improve my hearing and prevent a brain infection."

Ko Tin is a 34-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his parents and his younger brother in a village in Yangon Division, Burma. He used to be a driver before his condition got worse but now he has stopped. Currently, Ko Tin is living with his parents who are farmers and support him. The whole family’s income is just enough for their basic expenses and basic health care. Ko Tin has a wife who went to Thailand for work about four months ago but he has lost contact with her. When he has the energy and free time, Ko Tin likes playing football with friends. Ko Tin was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires replacement 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. In mid October, Ko Tin experienced fever, cough, body pain, difficult breathing, and severe fatigue when he walks a short distance. After he visited the cardiologist in Yangon Hospital, he was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation and doctor recommend that he should receive surgery. Currently, Ko Tin feels tired, coughs often, and is experiencing difficult breathing. Sometimes, he feels pain from his legs and his arms, and he cannot sleep well at night. He will feel extremely fatigued with shortness of breath when he lays down on the floor. He also cannot walk long distances. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ko Tin. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Pun Hlaing Hospital on December 3rd and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Ko Tin said, “I would like to recover as soon as possible. My parents are worried about me, and they have difficulty earning enough money to pay for my treatment. I hope my wife to return, and I would like to live as a happy family.”

53-year-old Aye lives with her husband, son and two daughters in a refugee camp in Thailand. Her husband is a teacher, and Aye is a homemaker. All of the children go to school. In her free time, Aye loves to plant different types of flowers around her home. One day in the middle of 2018, Aye's friend told her that her neck looked a bit swollen. Aye did not seek medical attention, as she wasn't experiencing any symptoms. Gradually, however, she began developing mood swings, anxiety, and fatigue. Although she was put on medications by the doctor, her symptoms worsened, and she was referred to Mae Sot General Hospital. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with a left thyroid mass and for the next three years, she returned to the hospital for multiple follow-up appointments. During her appointment on September 28th, the doctor told her that she will need surgery to remove her thyroid and cure her worsening condition. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is seeking $1,500 to fund Aye's thyroidectomy, which is scheduled for October 11th, at Mae Sot General Hospital. Aye is looking forward to her surgery, as she feels as if the mass is increasing in size, and is causing her to have fatigue and chest pain. Aye said: “Because of my condition, I feel sad and angry without reason. Afterwards, I feel bad for my family. I believe that after my surgery, I will have normal emotions again, and I will be able to help my family more.”

Lu lives with her family in a refugee camp in the border area of Thailand. She works as a community health worker and enjoys cooking, watching TV, and playing with children in her free time. Over three years ago, Lu started to experience pain in her back and lower abdomen, accompanied by blood in her urine. She felt tired and had a low appetite. She was able to visit Chiang Mai Hospital and was diagnosed with kidney stones. Unfortunately, Lu's treatment was delayed due to a Covid outbreak in the camp. Additionally, she was unable to afford the procedure she needs. Fortunately, Lu was able to meet our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Lu's doctor wants to perform percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), an operation to remove her kidney stones. Lu is scheduled to receive her operation on June 8th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to help fund this procedure so Lu can return to being pain free in life. Lu said, "I love my job working as a community health worker in the refugee camp. But I cannot continue to work with this condition. Thank you BCMF and all of the donors for helping me."

Srey Neang is a playful 4-year-old from Cambodia. She has one sister and lives with her grandma while her mother works a few hours away in a factory. A few of Srey Neang's favorite things include playing with toys, eating fried eggs with rice, and exploring her village with her grandma! Around two months ago, Srey Neang's grandma noticed that her nose was always red and bothering her. The doctors found a foreign object stuck deep inside her nose. Srey Neang is currently experiencing discomfort, redness, and difficulty breathing through her nose as a result. Her family brought her to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment; on March 13th, surgeons will remove the mass. Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), our medical partner, is requesting $273 to fund this procedure. Srey Neang's family contributed $50 to her care. Her grandma said: "I hope my granddaughter feels better and she can breathe easily again."

Jorge is a 13-year-old boy who lives in Bolivia. He is in seventh grade and likes to study art and psychology. Jorge was born with a congenital heart defect called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and unable to exert himself. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, can help heal his condition. Jorge is scheduled for surgery on September 11. He will need to fly from his hometown to another city in Bolivia for the treatment. During the surgery, doctors will sew a patch over the hole in Jorge's heart to close it and prevent the blood from leaking. Jorge's family needs your help raising $1,500 to fund his cardiac treatment. He hopes that after the surgery he will be able to have a more active life. Jorge said: "I am hopeful that after this surgery I will start getting stronger and will be able to play soccer."

Meet 42-year-old Khin who lives with her husband in Thailand. Both Khin and her husband work in a wool factory. In March 2023, Khin felt overwhelmingly tired. She received an injection at a local clinic, but she didn't feel any better. A few days later she became dizzy, and fainted. Subsequently, she developed back pain and gastrointestinal issues. She has now been diagnosed with a myoma - or uterine fibroid - and advised to have her uterus and cervix surgically removed, to prevent future health complications. Khin is scheduled to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy on May 25th, at Mae Sot General Hospital. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once she has recovered, Khin's overall health should improve, and she will be free of the pain that currently lives with. Khin said: “When I first heard that I would need surgery, I felt stressed because I have no money. But when I learned that I have a donor, I felt relieved. In the future, I will continue to work in the factory.”