C
Chris HollindaleUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

United States
Chris' Story

Chris joined Watsi on May 16th, 2014. Twelve years ago, Chris joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Chris' most recent donation traveled 1,900 miles to support Legrand, a three-year-old boy from Haiti, to fund heart surgery.

Impact

Chris has funded healthcare for 161 patients in 14 countries.

Patients funded by Chris

Benson is an 11-year-old boy from Kenya. His mother shared that she first noticed a problem with his foot when he was almost two years old. At the time, she hoped he would eventually outgrow it and begin walking better, but the condition persisted. Determined to find help for her son, she took Benson to hospital. Benson has Equinus deformity, a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint (dorsiflexion) is limited. This causes him to walk on his toes instead of placing his entire foot on the ground. The condition developed as a result of cerebral palsy, a condition he was born with. Over the last few years, Benson has attended physiotherapy sessions, surgery and has been fitted with corrective splints to realign his foot, but each time, the procedures did not achieve the expected results. His mother got increasingly worried about his health and future, until a friend informed her about specialized care at our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital. Benson is presently admitted at AIC CURE Hospital in preparation of his corrective surgery. The procedure represents a significant opportunity to improve his quality of life, as his condition has limited many of the activities and opportunities he would otherwise enjoy. He often experiences pain in his leg, especially during cold weather, making it difficult for him to walk comfortably. Benson's surgery has been scheduled for June 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 for the treatment that will provide Benson greater mobility, reduced pain, and the chance to pursue his dreams with renewed confidence and independence. He says: "I am looking forward to a quick healing so that I can continue with my regular life."

$1,286raised
Fully funded

James is a 13-year-old boy from Kenya. When our medical partner met James's mother, worry etched across her face as she struggled to hold back tears while sharing their experience. Born in 2012, James had a wonderful childhood. However, in 2021, something happened that changed James's life completely as they knew it. Towards the end of September, James started experiencing excruciating stomach pain. His condition was so bad, such that James was unable to sleep, and would throw up whenever he ate. His parents took him to a nearby hospital for medical assistance. No diagnosis was made; instead, they were sent back home with a prescription for painkillers and antibiotics. They left the hospital, hopeful that their son would recover. True enough, James got better, and soon enough, they forgot their worries. A few months later, however, the pain was back, and this time, worse than before. James's parents took him to hospital, only to be sent back home with painkillers again, but with no diagnosis. At this point, James was losing weight as well, and throwing up whenever he ate. With the help of the medication given, he got better, and an improvement in his feeding pattern was noted. This was, however, short-lived. Within a few months, the pain recurred. It's been a difficult three years for James, until his family decided to seek care at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), in September 2025. At the hospital, doctors found James to be malnourished, and he was placed on nutritional care so he could be strong enough to handle treatment. He was in hospital for a month before a laparotomy surgery was scheduled. The successful surgery that followed restored hope back into the lives of his family. Presently, James is scheduled for a follow up colostomy closure surgery to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. After a long journey of James's treatment, his family is unable to raise funds for his upcoming treatment. James's father works informal jobs to sustain the family, while his mother takes care of the family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,020 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for James. The surgery is scheduled to take place on March 11th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live a healthier life. James's mother says, "My son is going through so much pain, seeing him like that breaks my heart. As his mother, I wish I could take the burden of pain off his body. However, I am hopeful that with your help, this condition will be a thing of the past very soon."

$1,020raised
Fully funded

Reyan is a lively 17-month-old boy from Ethiopia. He finds joy in playing with anything he can get his hands on, especially alongside his siblings. He lives in Addis Ababa with his parents, two older sisters, and a brother. His mother is a devoted homemaker, while his father sells fruits and vegetables. As the sole breadwinner, his father’s income is limited, providing just enough for their daily needs. If he doesn’t work, the family struggles to put food on the table, making it difficult to meet their children’s basic needs. Reyan was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Earlier on, his parents noticed something unusual, but did not realize it was a medical condition. The issue became clearer when they attempted to have him circumcised. The doctor advised them to wait until Reyan was three months old to allow proper skin development. Subsequent visits to another clinic revealed something was not right, leading to a referral to a specialized hospital. Reyan's parents began attending follow up clinics at the referral hospital when he was just three months old. His mother was worried, knowing her son needed surgery to correct the condition. She prayed fervently for help, but the long waiting list delayed the necessary procedure. She anxiously awaited the day when he could receive surgery and live a healthier life. Without treatment, Reyan will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and be at risk of future complications. Eventually, a pivotal moment came: Reyan’s mother received a call from the referral hospital about care at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Overjoyed, she felt her prayers had been answered, and they eagerly made their way to BKMCM. Upon arrival, Reyan’s mother was impressed with the quality of care they received. Reyan is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 9th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Reyan's mother expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, "We feel truly fortunate to receive this support. I waited over a year for my son's surgery, constantly wondering when it would happen. But, thanks to God's plan, we've finally been given this chance."

$1,293raised
Fully funded