Trevor BlackwellUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER
Trevor's Story

Trevor joined Watsi on March 12th, 2013. Seven years ago, Trevor joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Trevor's most recent donation supported Lillian, a 63-year-old widow and mother of three from Kenya, to fund a hysterectomy so she can fight uterine cancer.

Impact

Trevor has funded healthcare for 113 patients in 15 countries.

Patients funded by Trevor

Juan, an 11-month-old boy from Bolivia, lives with his mother and five older siblings in a neighborhood in the mountains above La Paz. Juan 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 passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and making it difficult for him to gain weight. To address Juan's condition, congenital heart surgery is the only viable treatment option. Skilled doctors at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría will perform the surgery by closing the hole in his heart using a patch. However, due to Juan's low weight, the surgeons have determined that it is unsafe to proceed with the procedure. As a result, he will be hospitalized for several weeks before the surgery to receive proper nutritional support, enabling him to gain weight and prepare for the operation. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is actively seeking your generous support to raise $1,500 to support Juan's cardiac care. Your contribution will play a vital role in enabling Juan to receive the life-changing congenital heart surgery he urgently requires. By partnering with Haiti Cardiac Alliance and making a financial contribution, you can make a significant difference in Juan's life and overall well-being. Juan's mother shared, "I am very hopeful that after this surgery, my son will gain appetite and start growing and gaining weight more normally!"

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Gay is a fifteen-year-old resident of Burma, who lives in a village in a conflict area called Karen State with his parents and two older sisters. Gay's parents and one of his sisters work in subsistence farming and his other sister is still in school. Due to financial constraints, Gay tends to the family's cows instead of attending school. During his leisure time, he enjoys fishing and gathering vegetables. On the morning of November 13, Gay was in an accident while riding on his friend's tractor. He was seated next to the driver and fell off when the tractor hit a bump while descending a slope. The trailer being towed behind the tractor ran over his right thigh, resulting in a severe femur fracture. Currently, Gay experiences considerable pain and is unable to move his right leg. He requires assistance from his father for basic activities like using the bathroom. Fortunately, Gay was able to make it to Mae Sot General Hospital, a care center of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Thanks to the support of BCMF, Gay is slated to undergo surgery on November 14th, to reset his fractured bones, allowing them to properly heal. BCMF is requesting $1500 to help fund this procedure. This surgical intervention holds the promise of enabling Gay to walk again without enduring pain. Expressing his gratitude, Gay's father shared, "When I heard that my son needs an expensive surgery, I felt hopeless. I did not know what to do and I felt so sad to see him in pain. When I learned from the doctor that donors will help pay for my son's treatment, I felt so happy that words cannot express how I felt. Thank you so much with all my heart for helping my son."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Godson is a 4-month-old baby boy, the youngest in a family of six children. He lives with his parents and siblings in Singida, Tanzania. Both parents are farmers. They grow corn and sunflowers, which they use to make cooking oil. They sell cooking oil to earn money to support their family. Godson was born with a congenital condition in which his feet are twisted out of shape. The parents have been very concerned for their son. They've been to several different hospitals in the past three months seeking treatment with no success. Two weeks ago, while Godson's mother was out for a walk, a stranger saw Godson and approached the mother. The stranger explained his experience with his daughter who had a similar condition. After a brief conversation, the man directed her to the care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for a consultation. Godson's parents wasted no time traveling over 400km and finally arrived at AMH's care center with excitement. The doctors at AMH diagnosed Godson with clubfoot in both of his feet. Godson requires a treatment that involves a series of casting. Fortunately, AMH is able to provide treatment. After a brief talk with our team, Godson's parents understood the diagnosis and what treatment would be needed. The surgeons at AMH will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 21st. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Godson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Godson’s mother says, “After seeing my son I thought this will be his future. I am happy to know that his condition can be treated.”

$935raised
Fully funded

Chanseth is a 23-year-old factory worker who lives with his parents and four siblings in Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. His older brother works with his parents on a rice farm; Chanseth and two of his sisters work in a local factory, and their 10-year-old sister is in grade three at the local public school. When he is not working in the factory, Chanseth helps his brother and parents on the rice farm. In August 2022, Chanseth was injured in a motorcycle accident, fracturing his left humerus (upper arm bone), and sustaining multiple superficial wounds on his arm. Originally, his arm was just splinted. Two months later, Chanseth went to a local government hospital to see if they could help with the repair of the fracture. It has now been eight months, and Chanseth's arm is still non-functional. He cannot raise his shoulder or use his arm. Chanseth was 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. Because of the damage to his tendons and nerves, Chanseth is unable to work. He will require a nerve and tendon transfer to improve his shoulder function to regain the use of his hand. Chanseth sought help at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On March 28th, he will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the only facility in the country where this treatment is available. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Chanseth said: "After surgery, I hope that they can fix my fracture and I can use my hand to go back to work."

$709raised
Fully funded