Erwin is a father of five. Five years ago, Erwin had a stroke that paralyzed a part of his body, causing him to be physically disabled. Because of his condition, he is not able to work. Moreover, Erwin began to feel a lump in his throat three years ago. He also had difficulty when breathing and swallowing. When the doctors examined Erwin, they diagnosed him with Follicular Nodular Disease found in his thyroid. Erwin needs to get surgery immediately to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Erwin to receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 9th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. The Surgeons will remove all or part of his thyroid gland. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is supporting a portion of the cost of his treatment, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Erwin's procedure and care. Erwin's family said, "We are grateful to have come across people and organizations who are willing to help us without asking for anything in return. Thank you very much for giving us hope."

Marife is a loving wife and mother from the Philippines. She previously worked as a janitor at Makati Medical Center but had to quit to give more time to her daughter, who has difficulty breathing with asthma. Marife occasionally does freelance work, but their family mostly depends on the income her husband makes as a janitor. Marife and her family reside in a Housing Relocation Site provided by the National Housing Authority. One year ago, Marife began to experience troubling symptoms, including vomiting and extreme abdominal pain. She described it as even worse pain than when she gave birth. For a year, she tried various medications and home remedies to help ease the pain, but to no avail. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Marife was diagnosed with cholelithiasis, or gallstones. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Marife is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) on October 21st. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Marife's surgery and care. Marife says, "This surgery will be a great help for me and my family as it will regain my confidence. I have been through depression since I first felt my symptoms. This illness sacrificed my supervision and parenting time with my daughter. I had come to the point of being hopeless but thanks to this hospital and the donors I will fight and continue my life. I hope they can help more people like me who need an operation. Thank you very much."

Roem is a mother of four from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Chnang province with her husband. She is a retired rice farmer and her husband still works in the nearby rice fields. All of their children have left the province to seek work closer to the capital city. At home, Roem likes listening to music and cooking. In 2019, while she was walking near her house, Roem tripped over a rope and broke her left hip. After enduring pain for six months, she decided to travel several hours to a hospital in the north of the country where she had surgery. After surgery, her hip improved slightly, but she is still having trouble walking and takes regular pain medications. She often wakes up at night from the pain. Fortunately, Roem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Roem of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for December 4th, and Roem needs help raising $1,118 to pay for this procedure. She shared, "I hope I can walk again and be able to stop the pain so I can help more around my house."

Su said, "I gave up after I learned the surgery would cost more than we could ever pay. I thought about taking medications to control my symptoms until my time came to go. But now I feel less stressed. Thank you so much for releasing us from our financial problem. I am looking forward to returning to work once I recover." Su lives with her husband, who works as a baker. She stopped working as a factory worker in August due to her deteriorating health and is currently unemployed. Back in 2016, Su began experiencing occasional tiredness, which worsened with physical activity. She also has difficulty sleeping, irregular heartbeat, and loss of appetite. Subsequent investigations, including an ECHO and ECG, revealed she needs a heart surgery called mitral valve replacement. After the surgery, she will no longer experience tiredness, irregular heartbeat, or difficulty sleeping.

Mabasa is a four-year-old child from Tanzania. Like any other child, he is filled with dreams, curiosity, and a boundless spirit. He comes from a mid-sized family with five siblings. However, his journey has taken an unexpected turn that threatens to overshadow his bright future. Born to hardworking farming parents, Mabasa was a healthy and joyful baby. Yet, at age two, he began to experience a troubling transformation that has left his family deeply concerned. Mabasa’s parents, dedicated farmers who work relentlessly to provide for their family, noticed something amiss when their son’s legs started to bend as he took his first steps. This struck them with concern and fear. The condition worsened as months passed, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their child’s future. Mabasa was diagnosed with left genu valgus. Colloquially known as "knock-knee," genu valgum is a condition in which the knees bend inward, and can cause pain, difficulty walking, and arthritis. Mabasa's left leg has curved inward, affecting his mobility. To their dismay, the doctors could find no apparent cause for Mabasa’s condition and suggested a healthy nutrition regimen and medications to improve his overall health. Mabasa’s parents followed these recommendations, but despite their unwavering efforts, there was no sign of improvement. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Mabasa. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 14th. Treatment will hopefully restore Mabasa's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Mabasa’s father says, “I wish for my son to have a bright future and that this condition won’t be a problem in the future.”

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."

Anastasia is a 12-month-old baby girl from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three older siblings in a small village in eastern Haiti where her parents are both farmers. Anastasia has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, meaning that a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Anastasia also has Down syndrome. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) is helping Anastasia which is especially challenging as the treatment she needs is not available within Haiti. On August 2nd, she will fly to the Dominican Republic to undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch so that blood can no longer leak through it. HCA is subsidizing $8,000 of the cost of transportation and treatment, and Anastasia's family is asking for $1,500 to help to fund the costs of surgery prep, labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It will support passport obtainment and the social workers from HCA who will accompany Anastasia's family overseas. Anastasia's mother shared, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to fix our daughter's heart."

Darwin, a two-year-old toddler, resides with his parents and older sister in a small mining community nestled in the mountains of central Bolivia. Darwin was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and in need of supplemental nasal oxygen. The only way to treat his condition is through Congenital Cardiac Surgery. Skilled doctors at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría aim to close this hole using a patch, enabling blood to flow more naturally. Presently, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking assistance in raising the necessary funds of $1,500 for this crucial procedure. Your support would have a profound impact on Darwin's life and well-being. Edwin's mother said: "I am hopeful that Darwin will be able to be a normal and healthy child once his surgery is over."

Win is a 50-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his extended family in a village in Karen State, which is an area under conflict and violence. He and his wife have four children, and three grandchildren. Win, his wife, two sons and one of his sons-in-law are farmers, while his two daughters are homemakers. Win lost vision in his right eye in the middle of 2022. Two months after this occurred, the vision in his left eye blurred, until he could only perceive light. He was diagnosed with glaucoma in his left eye, and as a result of his impaired sight, he had to stop working. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of eye surgery for Win. On April 3rd, doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital will operate and, after recovery, Win will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “I feel stressed and worried about my life," Win said. "I want to go back to work after my surgery.”