Mu is a 27-year-old farmer from Burma. She rents a patch of land with her husband and farms. She has two children. Mu experienced abdominal pain and visited Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center. She received medication, which temporarily alleviated the pain but did not eliminate her symptoms. She has been diagnosed with gallstone pancreatitis. Mu says, “It is a sharp pain and it comes on without warning. Sometimes I can feel it all the way in my back.” Mu has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Mu is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on February 14. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mu's procedure and care.

Maria is a mother from Guatemala. She lives near Lake Atitlán in rural Guatemala. Maria is a mother of eight children, the youngest of whom is 22 years old. Maria underwent a pap smear test with the nurses in our medical partner's women's health program, and the results of her pap came back positive. Though Maria does not currently have symptoms, she still needs to undergo a colposcopy, which is a guided biopsy procedure that removes affected areas of the cervix. A colposcopy is often curative for cancerous or precancerous lesions of the cervix, and it is therefore is the best way to prevent the spread of cervical cancer. With $218 in funding, Maria will consult with a specialist who will perform the colposcopy. Even if cancer or pre-cancer is found in her biopsy results, this procedure is often curative. She will be able to return home to her family free from worry. The procedure is scheduled for January 16. Maria says, "I feel well and I am grateful for this support. Many thanks to you all from me and my family."

Rathana is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He likes watching Cambodian boxing and playing soccer. In July, Rathana fell off his motorbike near his home, causing a number of injuries. He went to a nearby hospital, but he ran out of money, so he left. Now he has paralysis in his arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to move his arm and can't work very productively in the rice field or ride a motorbike. Rathana traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 8, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope my arm can be fixed."

Deborah is a cute and happy little three-year-old girl. She is the fifth child in a family of five children, and everyone adores her. As Deborah grew, her parents noticed that her legs were unusually bowing outwards. The condition makes it difficult for her to walk. She easily falls down when running. Despite her condition, Deborah is going to school. She is in kindergarten and enjoys being with other pupils. Deborah's parents have been using some vitamins to help with her condition, but so far there is no improvement. Through a referral from an orthopedic doctor, Deborah’s parents brought her to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, for treatment. Deborah badly needs surgery to correct the deformity and allow her to walk properly. Thankfully, her surgery is scheduled for October 17. Deborah's surgery will cost $838. After surgery, Deborah will hopefully be able to walk easily and continue her schooling. Deborah’s father says, “I am grateful for this opportunity my daughter has gotten. Thank you all.”