75-year-old Sarath spends her time doing housework and visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. The mother of three and grandmother of 15 lives with her husband in Cambodia. “One year ago Sarath developed a cataract in each eye,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “This causes her blurred vision, tearing, and she is afraid of the bright sunshine.” Cataracts occur as proteins develop in the lens of the eye, causing cloudiness. Without treatment, the cloudiness increases over time and results in slowly deteriorating vision. They can ultimately result in total blindness. Due to her condition, Sarath finds herself with limited independence. She experiences difficulty seeing clearly, recognizing faces, and going outside on her own. For $225, we can fund Sarath’s vision-restoring surgery. In each eye, doctors will make a small incision to surgically remove the clouded lens and replace it with a new, artificial implant. The surgery takes only 40 minutes, and will fully restore Sarath’s vision.

Meet Karl, a three-year-old boy from Haiti. Karl lives with his mother, father, and older brother. “His father repairs automobiles and his mother stays at home," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "He is a shy child, but likes to play with his brother and help his parents at home.” “Karl was born with a cardiac condition called pulmonic stenosis, in which the valve leading from his heart to his lungs is unusually narrow," explains HCA. "As result, blood had difficulty reaching his lungs, and backs up into his heart, leading to heart failure. If untreated, this condition could be fatal.” For $1,500, we can fund a treatment that will restore normal blood flow to Karl’s heart, and allow him to live a normal life. This amount funds overseas preparation and transportation, as HCA secures overseas heart surgeries for procedures that are not easily accessible in Haiti. The treatment is subsidized by a $10,000 donation from Safra Children’s Hospital. Karl's mother shares, “We are hopeful that Karl will be healthy after his surgery so that he can start going to preschool with the other children.”

“Three months ago, Tim developed a cataract in each eye,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), shares. “This causes him blurred vision, tearing, and some pain.” Now, he can no longer see clearly, go outside on his own, or continue working. Cataracts occur when proteins develop on the lens of the eye, causing cloudiness. Untreated, the cloudiness will continue to impede Tim’s vision. Because he is no longer able to work, Tim stays home with his wife and three daughters. "In his free time he does work around the home, cares for the yard, and visits the pagoda to listen to the monks pray." Tim looks forward to getting his vision back, and traveled four hours to seek treatment. Cataracts are easily treatable, but Tim can't afford treatment on his own. $225 will cover the cost of a short operation to give Tim his vision back. Doctors will remove the clouded lens and replace it with a clear, artificial lens that will allow him to see again. Tim and his wife look forward to the change that this surgery will bring.

“It is hard to recognize faces clearly, do any work, or go anywhere by myself,” shares Chantha, a 75-year-old woman from Cambodia. Two years ago, Chantha developed a cataract in her left eye, explains our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Common among elderly patients, a cataract occurs as proteins accumulate to form a filmy layer over the eye lens. Over time, this cloudy layer gradually solidifies to progressively worsen vision. At this stage of her condition, Chantha is partially blind. For $150, Chantha will receive surgery on her left eye. During this brief operation, the old, cloudy lens will be removed and replaced with a sheer implant. Married with one son, one daughter, and two grandchildren, “Chantha spends her time reading books and listening to the monks praying on the radio,” CSC shares. After this brief, simple treatment, Chantha will be able to see clearly again.