D
Dalton T. ZerlanUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Dalton's Story

Dalton joined Watsi on May 11th, 2014. Eleven years ago, Dalton joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Dalton's most recent donation supported Baby Desta, a seven-month-old girl from Ethiopia, to fund surgery to correct a birth condition.

Impact

Dalton has funded healthcare for 98 patients in 16 countries.

Patients funded by Dalton

Baby Desta is a seven-month-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and two older brothers. She is active, cheerful, and loves smiling. Her father works as a daily laborer, while her mother is a homemaker. Despite limited income, her parents remain committed to fulfilling their children’s needs. Baby Desta was born with a condition called Hirschprung's disease. This is where a portion of the intestine does not have proper nerve function, causing bowel dysfunction. When she was about two weeks old, Baby Desta’s abdomen started to swell, prompting her mother to bring her to a health center. At the health center, the family was referred to a higher-level hospital. Baby Desta was admitted to the hospital, and doctors advised that she would require surgery to remove the affected part of the bowel, or she would continue to have symptoms and be at risk of serious complications. This greatly concerned her parents, who worried they could not afford treatment. Thankfully, after a long and stressful journey through multiple health facilities, the family was referred to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Baby Desta will undergo surgery on November 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of the procedure and related medical care. Baby Desta’s mother shared, “Thank you so much to everyone. May God protect you in your work and continue to bless you as you help others. Thank you for your kindness and support.”

$412raised
$1,088to go

Tasmiya is a bright, curious five-year-old girl from India. Tasmiya's father works in the carpet industry; her mother is a homemaker. Her favourite fruit is mango, and like any child her age, she wants to run, play, and go to school with her friends. She is the second of four daughters, and her father describes her as a girl who loves to study. Her face lit up whenever school was mentioned, but her injury made it difficult for her to continue her education. About a year ago, Tasmiya was playing with a friend when she accidentally fell into hot water, causing severe scald burns. The burns covered a large area of her chest, affecting both sides, including tissue near her breasts and chest wall, as well as her right thigh. As the burns healed, they left thick, raised scarring across her chest and thigh, and most disabling of all, a scar contracture at her right elbow that has pulled the joint out of its normal position. The contracture in the right elbow has left her unable to fully extend or use her arm normally. Simple daily tasks like writing, dressing, and carrying a school bag are difficult for her right now. Tasmiya has not been able to go to school or continue her education, something her father says weighs on her, since she loves learning. As she grows, the scarring on her chest also carries the risk of restricting normal development if left untreated. Tasmiya's family learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On September 2nd, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery. This will release the contracture and help restore use of her arm, allowing her to write and carry a school bag, dress herself, and do everyday things other five-year-olds do without a second thought. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Tasmiya's father shared, "I am happy that she will have her surgery done, and I am confident because my neighbour, who had severe contractures, was treated here and is fully healed. I have full faith in Tasmiya's recovery."

$1,442raised
Fully funded

Faruk is a three-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys watching cartoon movies, baking cakes and cookies with his mother, and playing with his youngest sister. His mother is a dedicated housewife, and his father earns a living as a street vendor. Faruk was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. His parents first noticed his condition 14 days after his birth. After visiting a private clinic, they were informed that surgery would be necessary. In search of proper treatment, Faruk’s mother visited various hospitals and clinics. Determined to find a solution, she even sought care at a private hospital, but their financial limitations made this option impossible. The stigma surrounding Faruk’s condition has also affected him socially. This deeply troubled his mother, especially when Faruk would ask why he could not do some things that other kids could. Fortunately, Faruk is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Faruk's mother expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, "Thank you for your willingness and support. Your encouragement helped me maintain hope during a challenging time when I was deeply worried about my son's condition. After the doctor explained the procedure, I gained renewed hope and trust that my child's surgery would be safe and successful, with God's guidance."

$1,293raised
Fully funded

Thu Zar is an 18-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives with her parents, one older brother, and one older sister in a village in Karen State. Thu Zar’s parents work as farmers, and both her brother and sister help with the family farm work . Thu Zar also helps the family with farm work. The family mainly relies on growing crops and selling some of the surplus. One of her sisters, who lives in Bangkok and works as a waitress, sends 3,000 THB per month to support the family. Their combined family income is sufficient for their daily expenses but cannot afford expensive treatment costs like surgery. In early of August 2020, Thu Zar noticed a swelling on the left side of her neck. At that time the swelling was small so that she didn't take it seriously. Over time, the mass gradually increased in size and she decided to seek treatment at the local hospital. When it did not help, she finally traveled to Thailand in June 2025 to seek care. She underwent some investigations at our medical partner's care hospital, Mae Sot Hospital, and the doctor recommended surgery to remove the mass. Currently, Thu Zar continues to experience mild pain and redness on the left side of her neck. The swelling keeps slowly growing which gets her worried about her future. She cannot sleep at night and is eating less because of the pain. Fortunately, Thu Zar sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). She is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on October 15th. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. When Thu Zar learnt that there would be donors that would support her treatment costs, she was overjoyed. Expressing her deepest gratitude, she said: “Thank you so much to the organization BCMF and all the donors who are willing to help me with the treatment cost. Without your assistance, it would be impossible to undergo surgery. I hope to return home to help my family with farm work after surgery. Let me say that again, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for helping me with treatment costs.”

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Y Sak is a 15-year-old teenager from Kampong Thom province, Cambodia. He is the only child in his family. His father is a rice farmer, while his mother works as a tailor. Y Sak is currently in ninth grade and enjoys studying Khmer, his favorite subject. He dreams of becoming a doctor one day so he can help others. In his free time, he assists his mother with tailoring work and helps with household chores. At home, he enjoys eating stir-fried winter melon with egg. About 18 months ago, Y Sak developed swelling on the left side of his neck, along with pain and limited movement when bending his neck forward, prompting his family to take him to a hospital in Thailand. There, he received only medication treatment. However, one month later, his condition worsened, and he developed paralysis on the left side of his body. With physiotherapy and regular home exercises managed by his grandmother, Y Sak gradually regained some movement about five months later. A follow-up cervical x-ray taken in Thailand revealed cervical spine kyphosis and stenosis, which have continued to cause pain, weakness, and limit his neck movement. He is unable to play sports with his friends, which has caused isolation and shame for him. A relative told Y Sak's family about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where children can receive free care. Y Sak is scheduled for surgery on August 11th. To counteract his instability and promote long-term spinal stability, surgeons plan to do a spinal fusion with implants to hold his vertebrae in the correct position. Now, Y Sak hopes to correct his spinal deformity, relieve his pain, and improve his range of motion. CSC is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure, which will include surgery, anesthesia, medication, and post-operative physiotherapy care. Y Sak's father said: "After the operation, I hope that my son will no longer feel pain and will be able to move his neck more freely so he can keep up with school and friends."

$1,500raised
Fully funded