Meet Kadango, a 60-year-old man who lives in Malawi and works as a farmer. For the past two months, Kadango has been experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate. In this condition, the prostate becomes abnormally big (though not cancerous) and puts pressure on the urethra, the channel that moves urine out of the patient’s bladder. As a result, Kadango has difficulty urinating, and has been using a catheter. Unfortunately, though, the catheter is prone to leaking and discomfort, leaving him with pain and inconvenience. An operation known as a prostate resection would help him. In this procedure, doctors remove parts of his enlarged prostate to reduce it to a healthier size. Kandango cannot afford this surgery on the salary he earns as a farmer. $742 covers the cost of the operation, as well as Kandango’s medications, travel, and stay at the hospital. Kadango is expected to make a complete recovery after the operation. He is excited to receive his surgery and be able to resume his life catheter-free.

Margaret is an elderly woman and a farmer on her small plot of land. She is 65 years old and a mother to eleven children. In April of 2016, Margaret had a painful feeling on her left breast. She came to our facility and was asked to undergo a mammogram. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and now requires a mastectomy. A mastectomy will remove the breast tissue to prevent further spread of the cancer. Margaret will be in the hospital for six days to ensure the surgery's success, and will receive the medication needed to recover. All of Margaret's children work as casual laborers and have limited social economic means to provide for their mother’s treatment. Margaret's husband had his leg amputated in September of 2015, and he completely relies on Margaret to provide for him. Due to the recent financial burden of her husband’s medical bill, she is not able to access the medical treatment she needs. The surgery will cost $740. “I pray to God to heal me so that I may enjoy my old age and help my husband as well," Margaret shares with us.