Meet Gideon, a three-month-old boy living in Kenya. Gideon was found wrapped in a towel as a newborn alongside a road, and he now resides in a foster home where he has been generally doing well. “Gideon had no major health issues until recently when he became quite irritable,” says our medical partner, American Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Gideon has craniosyntosis, a birth defect in which the plates of his skull fused prematurely. This prevents Gideon’s brain from growing naturally and often results in a misshapen skull. If left untreated, the intracranial pressure may increase, resulting in potential brain damage and/or death. “His condition has been deteriorating,” AMHF shares, “and unfortunately…the home that Gideon lives in is not able to raise the funds for his treatment.” With $1,260, Gideon can undergo a craniotomy to surgically remove a portion of the skull and release the intracranial pressure. “We love Gideon so much,” says Grace, a well-wisher from Gideon's foster home. “It will not be easy for him to grow up knowing that his parents abandoned him. We will give him the best we can to make him feel loved.”

Meet Willis, a 10-month-old Haitian boy with a congenital heart disease. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), explains, “Willis was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak.” HCA continues, “Willis lives with his mother and father and is their first child. His mother works as a market vendor, and his father repairs vehicles. Although the family has known about his heart problem since birth, they were first told that it would be better to do the surgery when Willis was slightly older. However, he recently became much sicker and is being rushed to surgery earlier than originally planned.” If Willis goes untreated, not only will he become sicker and weaker, but his condition will eventually be fatal. With $1,500 in Watsi funding, along with a $5,000 subsidy from Development for Freedom International, this outcome can be avoided. Willis will undergo open heart surgery, during which a portion of the outer lining of his heart will be sewn over the hole between the lower chambers to seal it. HCA predicts, “Following surgery, Willis should be able to lead a normal life with no further cardiac symptoms.” With treatment, 10-month-old Willis will be much safer and healthier. "I wish I could give gifts to everyone who is helping Willis get better, but I know that God will reward them all even if I can't," shares Willis’ mother.

Meet Alex, a 33-year-old man from Kenya. He is married and is just starting off his own family with a four-year-old child, according to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). In March of 2014, Alex was involved in a motorcycle accident and sustained multiple fractures in his right hand. To set the fractures, he underwent surgery to hold the fractures together with a plate. However, last month, his hand started swelling again. According to AMHF, the plate dislodged and re-fractured his ulna. If left untreated, the bone will not fuse together properly and Alex may be unable to use his hand again. Alex used to work as a security guard but has been unable to return since the accident. His family’s sole source of income is his wife’s, who launders their neighbors’ clothes for a living. They are unable to cover the cost of treatment. For $1125, we can fund Alex's surgery and 14 days of bedrest in the hospital. AMHF will perform an open-reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure that will correct Alex’s misaligned fracture and put the plate back in place. “When I was done the first surgery I hoped I would be well and go back to work but the hand has been giving me problems since then," Alex shares. "I hope this time the surgery will be successful so that I can go back to work and support my family." Let’s help Alex regain the use of his hand, and his independence.

Four-year-old Jameson is a quiet and shy boy who lives with his mother and grandparents in Haiti. He enjoys listening to music and helping to feed the family’s chickens. “Jameson was born with two different holes in his heart: one between the two upper chambers and another between the two lower chambers,” our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), tells us. As a result of the holes, known as septal defects, “blood leaks between the chambers and does not flow properly out to his body. This leaves Jameson feeling sick and fatigued.” Surgery is recommended to treat the septal defects in Jameson’s heart. HCA explains, “During surgery, doctors will close both holes in Jameson’s heart, allowing blood to flow normally between the four chambers. Jameson should not experience any further symptoms from his condition.” With $1500, HCA will provide the overseas preparation and transportation required for Jameson’s treatment: airline tickets, passports, visas, and food support. Health City Cayman Islands is subsidizing Jameson’s treatment with a $7500 donation that will be used to cover the remaining costs of surgical care. “I am very excited that Jameson can have this surgery, and I am praying to God every day that everything will go well for him,” says Jameson’s mother.

Meet Deneus, an eight-month-old baby boy from Haiti. His parents are small farmers in the Haitian countryside: his father works in the fields while his mother sells beans and corn in the streets. “Deneus was very little when he was born – malnourished and very skinny,” reports our medical partner, Project Medishare. “He spent three months in the hospital receiving care to gain weight.” It wasn’t until Deneus hit four months of age, however, that his head “started swelling and getting large,” causing him to vomit and experience pain. A CT scan revealed that Deneus has hydrocephalus – a condition where cerebrospinal fluid pathways in the brain become blocked, causing increased pressure. If left untreated, hydrocephalus could cause Deneus permanent mental dysfunction, loss of mobility and premature death. $1,260 will fund treatment for his hydrocephalus -- a shunt placement to drain the fluid, a five-day hospital stay, and the anesthesia and post-operation medication necessary for a successful surgery. The procedure will drain Deneus’ brain of excess fluid so that he will be able to grow up healthy and enjoy his childhood. Let’s help make this surgery happen for Deneus!

“I love working on the farm with my husband,” Jane says. “I am also taking care of our oldest son and I need to be in good health to ensure that I can support him as he goes through recovery.” This is Jane, a married mother of five from Kenya. Jane’s husband was a driver for a company but has stopped working due to vision problems related to his diabetes. He now helps Jane on their farm where they have planted beans and vegetables. Their eldest son is recovering from drug and alcohol addiction and requires a great deal of their attention and care. One daughter works as a nurse and the other three children work odd jobs to support themselves. “Jane has been experiencing abdominal pain for more than two months,” her doctor at African Mission Healthcare Foundation tells us. “She is also experiencing sporadic bleeding and spotting after attending any call of nature. Jane has not been able to work in her farm for the past few months. If not treated soon, the bleeding could lead to development of anemia. The hernia could result incarceration of the intestine and this would further complicate her treatment.” A total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and hernia repair are necessary to treat Jane’s uterine fibroids and umbilical hernia. However, Jane and her family have not been able to raise the money for her treatment. For $800, we can make sure Jane has access to the care she needs. “We expect that after the surgery and recovery, Jane will be able to once again join her husband to work on their farm," AMHF adds..

This is Nan Htwe, a 29-year-old woman from Thailand. Nan Htwe has a degree in mathematics and lives with her two-year-old daughter and mother. “Nan Htwe is currently experiencing heart palpitations, especially from lifting heavy objects, and chest pains due to a cardiac condition,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). Nan Htwe has an atrial septal defect -- or, an abnormal opening in her heart. "Even doing everyday tasks around the house is difficult for her,” continues BBP. “She is the sole income earner so the responsibility of providing for her family adds to her stress." "She currently works for an education NGO," shares BBP. "Normally her wage is enough to cover her everyday expenses, but it doesn't provide her enough money for healthcare." For $1,500, we can fund heart surgery for Nan Htwe. Treatment will allow her relief from her symptoms, and will close the opening in her heart. "Her biggest priority is working so she can provide for her family and send her daughter to school," BBP explains. "Treatment will allow her to be a better mother and teacher to her students."