“I am very nervous about the surgery but I know everything is in God’s hands and I will be protected,” says Landrie. Meet Landrie, a 26-year-old woman from Haiti. Landrie has a poorly functioning aortic valve in her heart that limits blood flow. “Several years ago, Landrie fell ill with a high fever that severely damaged the aortic valve of her heart," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "As a result, her heart cannot adequately pump blood through her body at an adequate speed, leaving her very tired and sickly." Landrie lives with her mother and enjoys the company of her friends and family in Haiti. She particularly likes cooking and going to church. “Landrie studied informatics in college, but has been unable to finish her degree or work because of her cardiac condition,” continues HCA. For $1500, we can provide Landrie with an artificial heart valve to improve the functionality of her heart. Landrie will then be able to return and spend time with her friends and family. HCA adds: “Following surgery, Landrie will have to take lifelong blood thinners to maintain her artificial heart valve, but should otherwise be able to live a normal and healthy life.”

At 77-years-old, Choek is the patriarch of his large family in Cambodia. He has six children, ten grandchildren, and loves listening to the radio in his free time. His doctors at Children's Surgical Centre report that, due to a hypermature cataract in his left eye, "Choek began losing his vision ten years ago, and has had to stop working as a rice farmer." This has made it hard for him to support his large family. "He is sad that cannot do things for himself and is so dependent on his family," they continue. "He looks forward to returning to work and helping around the house." Your contribution will help fund the $150 cost to surgically remove the clouded lens in Choek's left eye. Let's help this family man regain his independence and his vision!

"Sara has several young children at home whom she dotes on extensively," Wuqu' Kawoq (WK) tells us about this 42-year-old woman from Guatemala. Her greatest fear is not being able to continue to take care of her children." Recently clinicians found a mass in Sara's right breast which has become both more painful and larger in size in the last months. "While we do hope that this is a benign breast mass, she has a family history of breast cancer, and so it is very important to work this up and make sure that this is not breast cancer," writes WK. Which is why they'd like to make sure Sara gets a biopsy of the mass done. The cost of this procedure is $310, but it's not something that Sara can cover on her own. "Sara is able to make ends meet - just barely- but she doesn't have any extra money left over for medical problems, and she's come to us because she's heard amazing things about what WK, together with Watsi donors, are making happen," WK continues. Let's fund Sara's care and help her live a healthy life with her family.

Meet Thay, a 73-year-old grandfather from Cambodia! Thay has eight grandchildren and enjoys listening to the news on the radio. Several months ago, Thay’s vision began to blur due to mature cataracts in both of his eyes. Since experiencing vision impairment, Thay has had to depend on help from his family. According to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, “Thay has difficulty walking and moving around on his own.” The team adds, “He needs his daughter to help care for him which means she has less time to work and care for the rest of the family.” Thay's treatment will improve his eyesight and prevent blindness. Thay is excited to regain his vision, explaining, “I hope the surgery is a success so I can help my daughter in [making] noodle soup.” For $150, we can fund Thay’s cataract surgery and prevent further vision loss! Let’s help Thay gain access to the medical care he needs to improve his vision so that he may return to the kitchen with his daughter soon!

Danie is a hardworking 46-year-old dressmaker from Haiti who is also the sole breadwinner and caretaker for her husband and their child. When Danie noticed an itching sensation on her breast and painful periods, she went to see a doctor. After a biopsy, she discovered she had breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy to remove the affected breast. However, she still needs chemotherapy to prevent the cancer from returning. “If she does not obtain the sessions she has high chance to experience resurgence of the cancer," our medical partner, Project Medishare, explains. "Treatment will allow her to save her life and provide chances for her to resume her activities and rejoin her family.” “I would love to recover from my bad health situation and get back to normal," she says. "If I could I would spend everything I have to get healthy and rejoin my family.” But at $1500, chemotherapy costs are simply more than Danie can afford to pay. Let’s help Danie get better and stay cancer-free!

"Lucia is in her last month of pregnancy," our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq in Guatemala, writes. "She has an unusual condition which occasionally complicates pregnancy. It causes severe itching and alterations in liver function. It also predisposes her to premature labor and, in some cases, severe respiratory distress in the newborn baby. For these reasons, Lucia needs extremely close monitoring through this month, frequent laboratory tests, ultrasound tests of the baby, and a closely monitored hospital birth to make sure everything turns out ok." Lucia's doctor, Peter Rohloff, adds, "This is Lucia's second baby. She's been very concerned because her first pregnancy was quite normal. However, she is really grateful for the support she's receiving, and she is thankful to Watsi donors (in advance) for helping her take care of herself and her new baby. She can't manage these medical costs on her own." To support Lucia, we're raising $525 to pay for Wuqu Kawoq's close monitoring of Lucia and her new baby. Regular tests and a safe birthing environment will help safeguard against any complications, ensure the normal functioning of Lucia's liver, and enable both Lucia and her family to live healthily and happily.

Sinoy is 49 and married with three children. He lives in the Philippines and makes barbecue sticks. He earns just $15 a month doing this, but the job is important to him and he's optimistic for the future. Sinoy visited our medical partner, International Care Ministries, because he was experiencing pain from an infection in his bone. The doctors tell us, "two years ago, Sinoy was in a car accident and sustained a leg fracture, requiring the insertion of a steel rod. Because of lack of finances, the rod was not removed after the fracture healed and a chronic infection developed. Sinoy now experiences chronic pain and abscess on his leg, which limits his activities and keeps him awake at night. Without treatment, his condition will continue to deteriorate." Sinoy needs surgery to remove the steel rod causing the abscess. The doctors confirm that, with this care, "Sinoy's pain and mobility will be much improved. He will be able to do more strenuous activities than he has been able to do over the past two years and earn a better income to support his family." Surgery to remove the steel rod that is infecting Sinoy's bone will cost $295. "We really need help for the removal of the expired steel implant because we cannot afford to pay for it," his family explains. Your donation will cover the cost of Sinoy's care and help the family get back on its feet.

Herood is a 27-year-old primary school teacher from Haiti, who lives with his parents. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, writes, “He loves teaching, and is very popular with his students; he and they were both very sad when his illness forced him out of the classroom earlier this year.” HCA reports, “Herood suffers from a condition called pulmonary stenosis, a condition in which the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs is slower than it should be because of a defect in the pulmonary valve. As a result, Herood's body does not get as much oxygen as it needs. While Herood has lived with this condition since he was young, it has recently deteriorated to a point which is making him very sick.” Herood says, ”Being a teacher makes me very happy. My students are all praying for me to get better!" For $1,500, Herood will receive a catheterization procedure that will restore blood flow to his lungs. HCA write, “He is expected to make a full recovery with no lasting symptoms or need for ongoing treatment.” Let’s give Herood the chance to get back to his students and live a happy, healthy life!

"Martina is a patient to be proud of," says her doctor at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq. As a 60-year-old woman living with Diabetes in Guatemala, she has had little resources to control her condition. However, over the past five years, she has worked extremely hard to get her disease under control. One of the most problematic symptoms of Martina's diabetes is the deterioration in her retina and the clouding of her lenses. This severely impacts her vision, making life difficult. Her night vision is particularly poor, and she has trouble with fine work, such as weaving. Luckily, Martina's work to control her diabetes has made her a great candidate for eye surgery. For $1500, she will receive a stabilization of her retinal disease and removal of cataracts, leading to major improvements in both her quality of life and overall independence. Let's help Martina see clearly again!