Dickson is a 75-year-old father and grandfather who farms tobacco in Malawi. He came to our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM), seeking treatment for an enlarged prostate gland. “Dickson's enlarged prostate has led to urinary incontinence, an embarrassing and inconvenient symptom,” WAM tells us. “He is occasionally unable to go to work in the garden due to his condition.” The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. An enlarged prostate—known as benign prostatic hyperplasia—is a common condition in older men due to hormonal changes. As the prostate gets larger, it squeezes the urethra, causing problems with urination. Typical symptoms include difficulty starting or stopping urination, weak urine streams, and inability to empty the bladder. For $742, Dickson will undergo surgery—transurethral resection of the prostate—in which doctors insert an instrument into the urethra to remove the part of his prostate that is blocking urine flow. After surgery, a catheter will be inserted temporarily to remove urine from the bladder. When the urine is free of blood or blood clots, the catheter will be removed, and Dickson can urinate on his own. Funding for Dickson also pays for a three-night hospital stay, lab tests, medicine, and transportation to and from the hospital for him and two caregivers. “Following surgery,” says WAM, “Dickson is expected to have his catheter removed and make a full recovery.”

Meet Baston, a carefree and talkative three-year-old boy from Tanzania. Since birth, Baston has lived with unilateral clubfoot, where his right foot is turned inward. He uses the lateral part of his foot to walk, which has affected his gait. "He will be at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age if untreated," reports the staff at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. "Despite his condition, Baston likes to walk and run around with other children." Baston started clubfoot treatment when he was 18 months old. Unfortunately, the person in charge of the treatment left Baston's village, and his family was unable to afford care at a different hospital. Baston's mother cares for the children at home and owns a kiosk where she sells drinks, while his father farms peanuts and maize. Baston will need to undergo further treatment to fix his clubfoot. Treatment will consist of stretching and manipulating the foot into the correct position, followed by casting, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. After four months, Baston will no longer use the lateral part of his foot to walk. $1,160 will cover the cost of the treatment and four-month rehabilitation stay. "He will have better gait and reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis," AMHF explains. "I love my little brother very much, we all do," Baston's older sister shared at their pre-operative interview. "I will be happy to see him able to walk like we do."

Robert, an 11-month boy from Haiti, was born with a heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot. This heart condition is characterized by four heart defects that combine to prevent oxygen from effectively circulating throughout the body. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), shares that as a result, Robert has difficulty breathing and remains sickly. Robert, who lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and father, "is a quiet and happy baby and likes to play with toys and listen to music," HCA details. "His mother stays at home with him, and his father works as a vendor in the local market." Most children who are diagnosed early with tetralogy of Fallot can live relatively normal lives if they receive appropriate treatment. Health City Cayman Islands has also committed to subsidizing Robert’s surgery with $3,500. An additional $1,500 will allow Robert the surgery he needs to become healthy. HCA details: “During surgery, a shunt will be placed, allowing Robert’s blood to receive more oxygen while his heart continues to grow and develop. In about two years, he will require a second surgery to completely repair his cardiac defect.” “I have been very worried about Robert and I am so glad that there is a surgery that can help him be safe and healthy," Robert's mother shares. "Thank you, everyone!”

Edna is a mother of seven from Haiti. Four years ago, she lost her husband and now raises their children alone. Until recently, she managed a small business selling clothes on the street. Two years ago, Edna noticed a lump in her breast but did not seek treatment for some time. Recently, she visited our medical partner, Project Medishare, and was diagnosed with breast cancer. “She is scared of the cancer diagnosis and can’t wait to have the treatment,” they share. The cancer made her ill to the point she could no longer work, and now has no income for her family and the treatment. “She has significant physical limitations as a result of the cancer,” explains Project Medishare. “Her children are in school and cannot help her with everything and she is unable to afford her treatment.” With our support of $1,500, Edna will undergo a mastectomy to remove the cancer in her breast and chemotherapy to ensure that it does not come back. These funds will cover the necessary pre-operative care, surgical costs, chemotherapy drugs, and hospital stay. “She hopes to get back to work selling clothes and to get back to caring for her children,” Project Medishare shares. “Since her husband died, she is their sole caretaker.” Let’s help Edna get well and return to enjoying time with her family.

Lae Lae is a 34-year-old woman from Burma. About a year ago, Lae Lae moved from her village to find a better income and now sells vegetables in the local market. However, Lae Lae’s husband still works as a farmer where she used to live. Our medical partner, Burma Border Project (BBP), tells us that Lae Lae divides her time between her current town and where her husband is located, depending on her health. Recently, Lae Lae was diagnosed with two large cysts in her abdomen. BBP explains, "Lae Lae has back pain, the mass in her abdomen is palpable and painful – she feels like the mass is getting bigger all the time." In addition to the discomfort, Lae Lae’s condition causes her to constantly worry about her symptoms worsening. While she earns enough money to support her everyday needs, Lae Lae’s income is not enough to cover her medical expenses. $1,500 will fund a total abdominal hysterectomy, removing Lae Lae’s uterus, cervix, and painful abdominal masses simultaneously. In addition to relieving her current symptoms, this operation ensures that Lae Lae’s condition will not persist--giving her peace of mind for her future health. Lae Lae shares, "Once I have had surgery I will go back and work as a farmer again with my husband."

Meet four-year-old Samryll Ian from the Philippines. He dreams of one day becoming an engineer. Samryll Ian's mother is a saleswoman and his father is a fisherman. "Samryll is a shy boy but loves to play with his siblings," shares our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). Samryll Ian has an anorectal malformation, a defect in the opening at the end of the large intestine through which stool passes. ICM shares, "He tends to be alone and not mingle with other children. Although he does not fully understand his condition, he is still positive that he could be well someday." Because his mother and father's job does not provide the family with a fixed income, the family cannot afford to fund treatment for his condition. For $965, Samryll Ian can receive treatment that will allow him to pass stool normally again. After treatment, "Samryll will have the confidence to play with the other children and pursue his dream to become an engineer," explains ICM. His mother adds, "We want to see him grow normally like any other kids in his school, so that he can fulfill his dreams in the future and help our family go out of poverty."

Meet Mary, a 41-year-old woman from Kenya. Mary is a single mother of two school-age children and works as a housemaid. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “For over one year now, Mary has been having bleeding and pain in her lower abdomen.” This bleeding is caused by fibroids in her uterus. Fibroids are benign tumors that grow along the wall of the uterus and often appear during childbearing years. Mary works as a house helper in a nearby city. AMHF explains, “The little income that Mary makes is not enough to take care of her family needs and still pay for this treatment.” “My children are fully dependent on me. I hope this condition is treated so that I can be able to continue working and supporting my children,” Mary remarks. For $790 we can fund Mary’s total abdominal hysterectomy. Doctors will remove her uterus and cervix in order to prevent the uterine fibroids from redeveloping. AMHF predicts, “After surgery, Mary will recover fully. She will be free from the abdominal pain, bleeding and risk of anemia. Mary will be able to work and educate and support her children.” Let’s fund surgery for this hardworking mother!

Meet Cho, a 42-year-old mother of two from Thailand. Cho was recently diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. “For the past four or five months Cho's abdomen has started getting bigger and bigger and she started to experience a lot of pain,” explains our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “She cannot sit or stand easily. She cannot sleep well at night and she is in a lot of pain. She can feel the mass in her abdomen when she lies down. She cannot eat a lot because her abdomen is distended. She has difficulty breathing and suffers from fatigue." With $1500 in funding, Cho will receive surgery to remove the ovarian cyst. Funding will also provide pre-surgery CT scans and post-surgical outpatient visits. Following treatment, Cho hopes to work as a domestic helper in order to pay for her son's school fees. "I want to have surgery, and I want to be happy and to take care of my son's future," Cho shares. "I want to work hard for my son to ensure he has good education."

Meet Soe, a 36-year old father from Burma. “Soe used to work as a miner before he was injured in an accident in early 2013,” says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “He was collecting wood in the forest and while he was up in a tree trying to cut branches for fire wood, he fell and broke his hip.” When Soe initially went to a hospital in Burma to fix his hip, they incorrectly inserted a steel rod implant into his femur. He now “feels a lot of pain in his hip and gets a fever often. He cannot walk well and it is not easy for him to stand up or sit down.” Because of these symptoms, says BBP, “he is unable to work, and is completely dependent on family members for financial support.” Soe needs surgery to have this femur rod removed, so he can return to work and live without pain. For $1,040, BBP can treat Soe and remove the rod. "The botched surgery Soe received will be corrected, and he will be free of pain and able to return to work," BBP tells us.

This little boy is seven-month-old Shardrack, the second-born child in a family of two children. “Shardrack was born with a cystic mass on his lower back,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), and this puts him “at risk of developing severe, life-threatening infection or urine and stool incontinence if not treated.” Shardrack’s family lives in a single room rental house. His father is a casual laborer working at a quarry site, while his mother sells vegetables at a local market to help support the family. His parents are unable to raise the funds for his surgical care that will close the mass and reconstruct Shardrack’s spine. The treatment will cost $805. After the surgery and recovery, AMHF expects that “Shardrack will lead a normal and healthy life with no risk of infection.” “I am very grateful for the support that we are receiving from Watsi,” shares Shardrack’s father. “I know I may never be a rich man but I always work hard to make sure that my family does not lack a meal. I want my children to live long and healthy lives so that they can have a chance at brighter futures.”

This is Nesca, a 11-year-old girl from Haiti. Nesca lives with her parents, two siblings, and four other relatives. "Nesca loves to play 'hide and seek’ and go to church," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "She plans to continue with her schooling and hopes to become a doctor. She loves math and feels that this is her strongest subject in school.” "Nesca was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, which involves a hole between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart," HCA explains. "Blood passes through this hole and back to the body without first obtaining oxygen, leaving her constantly short of breath and unable to exert herself." Nesca needs cardiac surgery to close the defect, and the procedure will cost $1500. After surgery, blood will flow through hear heart normally, and she will see relief of all of her symptoms. "I am looking forward to being able to run and play after my surgery!" Nesca tells us.

Meet Anthony, a three-day-old baby boy from Kenya! He is the fifth child in his immediate family, and his parents are farmers. Anthony was born with spina bifida, meaning he has a cystic mass on his lower back. He needs surgery immediately, or risks getting an infection or developing conditions that could pose serious health risks later in life. Anthony’s parents don’t earn very much, and cannot afford the $805 needed for Anthony’s surgery to close the mass on his back. "It's been a struggle over the last three days for my family, and I hope that my son will find treatment. We don’t have resources, but I hope that we’ll get support," Anthony's mother says. Let’s fund Anthony's treatment and give this little baby a chance to grow into a healthy child!