Somaly is a 54-year-old housewife from Cambodia. She has two sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren. Her husband works as a civil servant. She supports her family at home, cooking food and taking care of her grandchildren. When she has free time, she loves to watch dramas on TV. One year ago, Somaly developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her irritation, constant tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Somaly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled to the hospital seeking treatment. Somaly needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for May 7th. Somaly said, "I always love taking my grandchildren to school in the morning, but I cannot do that right now. Once the irritation is gone, I will be back to normal and can take care of them again."

Smaha is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings in Cap Haitien, a city on the northern coast of Haiti. She attends first grade, and likes coloring and doing art projects. Smaha has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta that normally closes soon after birth instead remains open. Blood flows through it, bypassing the lungs and depriving the body of the oxygen it needs. Smaha underwent a surgery two years ago to tie off the duct, but unfortunately the defect has re-opened; she will now undergo a different type of procedure called cardiac catheterization to close it in a way that makes it very unlikely to ever reopen again. Smaha will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 3, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a device attached to the tip of a catheter to block the leaking duct. Another organization, Gift of Life Inc., is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Smaha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Smaha's family overseas. Her mother says, "I am praying that after this trip to the hospital my daughter will be fully healthy."

"This case is just heartbreaking, and is crying out for urgent solidarity and collective action," Dr. Peter Rohloff, the medical director at our partner in Guatemala writes. "Wendy is 10 years old," Dr. Rohloff continues. "Since 2003, she has had severe joint pain and swelling, in almost all joints of her body. She can't move her hands, knees, or neck. She is in constant pain. She has a condition called juvenile idiopathic arthritis which is devastating her quality of life, keeping her from attending school, and causing an enormous financial strain on her family. She's received intermittent care, but she and her family can't always afford the care, and so she's started and stopped treatment many times. She needs an advocate who can intensively monitor and treat her symptoms." For $1,200, we can fund immunosuppressive therapy to improve Wendy's symptoms and allow her to resume school. "Wendy is a really delightful child who gave me a big smile today, despite being in severe pain. Her mother is at her wits end, and also economically exhausted. They are both looking for a permanent solution, and they are desperately in need of hope." Let's come together and make a happy, healthy life possible for Wendy!