Sam is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son and enjoys spending time with her family. 43 years ago, Sam had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sam experiences inactive ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It is difficult for her to hear, and she often experiences ear discomfort. Sam traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 19, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I really hope my hearing is improved and I can more easily listen to my family members and return to work."

Thein is a 41-year-old Burmese man. He lives with his wife, and together they have two children. He has been unable to work for the past two years. His family is now entirely reliant on his sister and brother-in-law’s income. His sister works as a grocer, while her husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Thein was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Thein experiences severe fatigue and heart palpitations. He cannot walk long distances. He usually has difficulty sleeping at night, constantly worrying about how he cannot afford to pay for surgery. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Thein. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 21 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I have two children and a wife who I can’t support but I really want to,” explains Thein solemnly. “My sister only has a small shop but is trying to support everyone, so I feel very bad that I can’t help out.”

Myint is a 29-year-old who lives with his parents and older sister in Burma. He moves around different villages with the Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT). In early 2015, he began to feel pain in his back and noticed that his urine was cloudy. Once or twice a month, he would feel numbness and hotness in his lower abdomen. He visited a doctor and received an X-ray test and a ultrasound test. He was diagnosed with a kidney stone. The doctor gave him oral medication, which made him feel temporarily better. In July 2017, Myint's symptoms returned, and he visited our medical partner's care center. He underwent different tests, which showed that there were stones between his urethra and kidney. Now, he is scheduled to undergo a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy to treat the stones on January 17. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. He says, “If BCMF can find the donor for me to support my surgery, I will have no worries about the treatment cost. I feel less stressed and much happier now. My family will also not be worried or stressed.”

Reginal is a young man from Haiti. He lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with his parents and younger brothers and sisters. He helps his family raise animals and grow crops around their house. Reginal has a cardiac condition called severe aortic regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart has been severely damaged by rheumatic fever, and can no longer adequately pump blood to the rest of his body. Reginal will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On December 7, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will replace his damaged valve with an artificial implant. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $65,000 to pay for surgery. Reginal'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 Reginal's family overseas. He says, "I will pray for everyone who is helping me to have this surgery!"

Simon is a 60-year-old husband and father of four from Tanzania who also cares for four other children. Both Simon and his wife are subsistence farmers, and they are working very hard to put their children in school. Simon started to experience pain in his knees after an accident that he had back in the 80s when he was hit by a cow on both of his knees. While the pain was initially only occasional and could be palliated by painkillers, the pain has recently become much worse. Simon has been to several hospitals where they have told him that he needs surgery. On June 23, Simon will undergo total knee replacement surgery. His medical insurance is covering a portion of the cost, subsidizing $1,887. On top of that, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $822 to help fund the rest of the treatment. Simon says, "I am glad I have found help. I have had this pain for so long, I will be so glad if I will no longer be in pain so that I may work hard for my children."

Susan is a five-year-old girl living in Kenya with her parents and four siblings. When Susan was three years old, she started limping and was unable to walk well. She was diagnosed with rickets, which lead to her developing genu valgus, also known as being "knock-kneed." Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Susan is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her "knock-knees" on July 10. Her family is requesting $1,165 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Following her recovery, Susan will be able to walk comfortably, and she will be able to go to school and play with the other children. “I am kindly appealing to you to help my daughter have surgery," Susan's mother shares. "Currently we cannot afford the amount stated. I would like to see her going to school and playing with other kids at home. God bless you for your help."

Nai is a 43-year-old woman who lives with her family in a village in Karen State, Burma. In February, Nai cut two of her toes while walking around her village. After she tried to clean the cuts, they got worse, and the tissue in and around them started to darken. A week later, Nai’s foot was in a lot of pain and her toes were swelling. She visited a medical clinic, and her left leg was amputated in March. Now, her left leg is fully recovered. However, she recently began noticing pain and itching in her right leg. The pain worsened and was replaced by numbness over the course of the summer, so she returned to the hospital for further treatment. On September 1, surgeons will operate on Nai's painful right leg. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,500 for a below-knee amputation. Nai says, "My leg is very painful and I can't walk or sleep at all. I feel sad because I cannot work and have to spend time in the hospital. I just want to recover."

Soe is a 31-year old man who was in a terrible motorbike accident about five months ago. In January 2017, Soe drove his friend home from work on his motorbike. He noticed a transport truck swerving towards him and took a sharp turn away from the vehicle. Soe managed to successfully dodge the truck but hit the highway rail instead. He immediately lost consciousness and woke up in the hospital two days later. Soe spent 15 days in the hospital with four broken ribs, severe cuts on his right arm, a broken tibia, and pain in his neck and left shoulder. Most of Soe’s injuries have been treated, but he still has nerve damage and a dislocated shoulder. Because of these untreated injuries, he can't cook, clean, or perform other daily task by himself. He feels as though someone constantly needs to look after him. He is also unable to work, putting a large financial barrier on his family. Fortunately, Soe will receive treatment for his fracture at our medical partner's hospital, Maharaj Nakron Chiang Mai Hospital, on July 7. The surgery will cost $1,500. Soe is grateful for the help, saying, "I'm looking forward to receiving the treatment I desperately require and hope to return to work again."

Chai Lin is a 68-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. She is married and has five sons, one daughter, and 14 grandchildren! Chai Lin enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio. About two years ago, Chai Lin developed cataracts in each of her eyes, causing her blurred vision and sensitivity to light. Seeking treatment, she visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On April 24, Chai Lin will undergo surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, CSC's care center. She will receive intraocular lens implants in each of her eyes, restoring her vision. CSC is asking for $292 to cover the cost of her hospital and medication fees. Chai Lin is looking forward to being able to see again!

Toeu is a 30-year-old construction worker who is married and has one son and one daughter. He likes to play badminton and listen to music. In January 2015, a piece of wood fell on Toeu's leg and caused a fracture in his left tibia. He visited a Khmer traditional healer and doctor for treatment after his accident. However, his symptoms did not improve, and he continued to experience swelling of his left tibia. Toeu first heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his neighbor. In February 2015, Toeu traveled four hours to reach CSC for treatment. During that initial visit, surgeons successfully performed an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to put in hardware to heal his fracture. Now his fracture has healed, but Toeu has returned to CSC because walking has become uncomfortable. Surgeons at CSC will remove the hardware that they previously inserted in order to make walking less painful for Toeu. The $143 requested to fund this procedure will support surgical equipment, physician consultations, and a two night hospital stay.

Saro is a 25-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. She has three brothers and five sisters. She likes to listen to the radio, watch news, and do housework in her free time. When Saro was five years old, she developed an infection in her left ear. The infection perforated the tympanic membrane on her left side. Because of her ear condition, she experiences hearing loss, ear discharge, and tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear). Saro has difficulty hearing at work, and she now worries that her ear condition will worsen. Saro learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), from her family member. She traveled for two hours by motorcycle with her sister to reach CSC for treatment. On March 27, Saro will undergo a myringoplasty surgery on her left ear to repair the perforated tympanic membrane. After recovery, Saro's hearing will improve. CSC is requesting $423 to fund this procedure.

Yeab is a 67-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. Her favorite pastime is visiting the pagoda to join ceremonies and listen to monks praying. About one year ago, Yeab began to experience blurred vision and tearing. This has affected her ability to work and participate in ceremonies. After seeking assistance at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Yeab was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. Physicians have scheduled her for a small incision cataract surgery and intraocular lens implant procedure on February 21. During surgery, physicians will remove Yeab's natural lenses and replace them with clear, artificial ones to improve her vision. CSC is requesting $292 to fund the procedure. Yeab eagerly awaits her surgery. She looks forward to returning to work and participating in the prayers and ceremonies at the pagoda.