S
Scott HalstedUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Scott's Story

Scott joined Watsi on December 7th, 2015. Eleven years ago, Scott joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Scott's most recent donation supported Neisha, a preschooler from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Scott has funded healthcare for 141 patients in 16 countries.

Patients funded by Scott

Neisha is a three-year-old preschooler from Haiti. She is the first born child in her family, and lives with her parents in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She likes coloring with crayons and going to church with her mother. Neisha has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Neisha needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 15th, she will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood no longer leaks through it. Another organization is contributing money to pay for surgery. Neisha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Neisha's family overseas. Neisha's mother says, "I have been so worried and scared about my daughter's health, and am so happy that her heart can finally be fixed!"

$979raised
$521to go

Rosany is a 52-year-old woman from the Philippines. She supports her children by selling various items in her small store. She enjoys watching noontime shows and singing with her family. Rosany is currently experiencing troubling symptoms, including heavy bleeding. She was diagnosed with a myoma, a noncancerous tumor that develops from the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus. She needs to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure where surgeons will remove all or part of her uterus. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Rosany undergo surgery on September 19th. She needs help raising $1,391 to fund her procedure and care. This treatment will help improve her quality of life and prevent future health complications. Rosany shared, "I am very grateful for this assistance because the cost of surgery is more than my family can afford. I look forward to receiving treatment, recovering, and continuing to provide for my children."

$868raised
$523to go

Ly Chheng is a 77-year-old man from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his wife and their third child, who works as a tailor. He has six children in total, all of whom are married and have their own jobs. He is no longer working, and in his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home. Ly Chheng has severe cervical spinal stenosis, a condition in which narrowing of the spinal canal puts pressure on the spinal cord. He has experienced intermittent numbness and weakness in his hands and extremities for approximately four to five years, with his symptoms becoming progressively worse since early 2026. He now experiences numbness and weakness in both hands, hand clumsiness, difficulty walking steadily, and frequent urges to urinate. He also has neck stiffness and pain that can extend toward his shoulders. These symptoms have made it increasingly difficult for him to move around safely and manage his daily activities independently. Ly Chheng's family was referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), to seek specialized care. On August 17th, surgeons at CSC plan to perform cervical spine decompression to relieve pressure on his spinal cord and help prevent further deterioration. The surgery costs $1,500, and his family can contribute $50, but they need help covering the remaining $1,450. After surgery, he hopes to have less numbness and weakness, walk more steadily, and become more independent in his daily activities. Ly Chheng said, “I hope the treatment will relieve the pressure on my spinal cord, improve the numbness and weakness in my hands, and help me walk more steadily. I want to be more independent and able to manage my daily activities more comfortably.”

$914raised
$536to go

Moe is a 15-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, sister, and two brothers. His father works as a day labourer, while his mother is a homemaker who sometimes takes on laundry jobs to help support the family. Moe completed grade three but had to stop his education in 2024 because of his health. He was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Moe experiences fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, and sometimes feels uncomfortable while sleeping at night due to squeezing and radiating pain around his chest and back. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Moe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on July 17th at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital, and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Moe's mother shared, "Thank you to the donors and the organisation for supporting my son’s surgery. We are very grateful. As day labourers, we do not have enough money. I am not healthy enough, and while doing laundry to earn extra income, I feel exhausted. Without your support, we would face unbearable financial burdens and could not afford the surgery. Thank you very much for your help.”

$975raised
$525to go

Char is a 55-year-old man from Burma who lives with his wife, two daughters, and two sons. His oldest two children work as small-scale farmers alongside Char and his wife, while his two youngest are students. Char's family also raises buffalo, pigs, and chickens for their consumption and to sell for income every four or five months. Char shared that the money they earn from selling their livestock, as well as the crops they grow for themselves, is just enough to cover their daily needs and to pay for basic health care. Char has a right inguinal hernia with bowel obstruction that is causing him to experience a lot of pain, difficulty walking and moving, and a reduced appetite. He needs to undergo surgery to heal from his condition. Fortunately, our medical partner can help him undergo hernia repair surgery on May 12th, which, once completed, will allow him to live more comfortably. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,468 to fund Char's surgery. Char shared about how upsetting this condition has been for him and his family, stating: "I cannot help my family take care of our rice fields, [vegetable] garden, or buffaloes," he said. "After I recover, I want to go home to take care of our rice fields and look after my buffalo. I will also go to the forest to forage for vegetables and hunt."

$1,253raised
$233to go

Nidhi is a 16-year-old girl from India. She lives in Mirzamurad, a village near Varanasi in northern India. She lives with her parents, two sisters, and a brother. Her father works as a halwai, preparing traditional Indian sweets to support the family. Nidhi is currently in the 9th grade and loves dancing. When she was just 2½ years old, Nidhi accidentally fell into a container of hot sugar syrup being used to make gulab jamuns, a sweet dessert. She sustained severe burns to her right chest and arm. Although she received wound care at the time, her family was unable to access reconstructive surgery. As Nidhi grew, the burn scars tightened and developed into contractures, affecting her right breast and elbow. These scars have restricted movement and altered her appearance during adolescence, a time when many young people become increasingly aware of their bodies and self-image. Nidhi's family learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On June 19th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release the tight burn scars on Nidhi’s right chest and elbow, improving both movement and comfort. The procedure is expected to increase the range of motion in her arm, making everyday activities such as dressing, writing, carrying schoolbooks, and participating in household tasks easier. The surgery will also address the contracture affecting her right breast, allowing for more normal development and reducing the physical discomfort and asymmetry caused by the scar tissue. By reducing the limitations caused by her burn scars, the surgery will allow Nidhi to participate more freely in school, social activities, and her favourite hobby, dancing. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Nidhi shared, "I hope this treatment will make everyday activities easier for me."

$1,442raised
Fully funded

Camila is a sweet young girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom, who maintains a small store from home so that she has more time to spend caring for her daughter. Camila has five older siblings. She likes to go to school, and she loves to paint. When Camila was a baby, doctors told her mom she had a heart condition that may close with time, but as she has grown older, the heart condition has affected her health more and more. Camila also has developmental disabilities. Camila has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect, where a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart that causes blood to leak as the heart pumps. Camila's condition prevents blood from circulating in her body normally, leaving her weak and short of breath. On April 15th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, a patch will be sewn over the hole in her heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Camila's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Camila's mother shared, "I'm so happy my daughter can receive the treatment she needs. We were waiting for a long time."

$1,500raised
Fully funded

Modester is a small-scale farmer from Malawi. She is married with five children and comes from rural Dedza, about 86.9 km from Lilongwe. She never attended school. Since 2025, Modester has been experiencing uncomfortable gynecological symptoms. Hospital assessments confirmed uterine fibroids. Despite various medications and a tubal ligation in 2015, her symptoms persisted. She managed for some years, but in September 2025, the symptoms returned, this time with severe lower abdominal pain, backache, and extreme weakness. Her condition has greatly affected her ability to work, reducing the income she relies on for her family. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), for possible surgical support. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Modester's surgery. On March 7th, she will undergo gynecological surgery, and once recovered, Modester will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. "This condition has threatened my life. The good news is that PIH can help me, and I am here today seeking support. Kindly help me," Modester pleaded during the assessment.

$1,363raised
Fully funded

Isaac is a four-year-old boy who lives with his mother in Antioquia, Colombia. He enjoys attending school, where he enthusiastically works hard to achieve his personal and academic goals. During Isaac's recent visit to the pediatrician, early-stage tooth decay was detected, and he was referred to dental services. Due to the number of teeth affected and the young age of the patient, dental treatment under general anesthesia was recommended. Our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is helping to raise funds for Isaac's treatment. On October 22nd, he will undergo a surgery to treat his condition, allowing him to live more comfortably and confidently. Now, Isaac's family needs help to fund this $868 procedure. Isaac's mother looks forward to him undergoing this procedure, as it will not only relieve his physical pain but will also significantly contribute to improving his quality of life, emotional well-being, and school performance, allowing him to continue his comprehensive education. She says: "As a mother, my hope is that this treatment will transform my son's quality of life. It has been a difficult process, especially given our circumstances, which is why this opportunity means so much to us. I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who are making this possible. May God bless you and be with you always. Thank you for supporting those who need it most - your generosity is an act of love that God will multiply day by day."

$868raised
Fully funded

Voeun is a 54-year-old man from Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia. He is divorced, and his two children currently live with their mother. Voeun lives alone and spends his free time caring for hens and ducks. Ten years ago, Voeun was involved in a car accident that resulted in an ankle crush injury, causing a deformity. He walks with a limp on the outside of his ankle and experiences pain that makes it difficult for him to walk or perform daily activities. Initially, he sought treatment through traditional Khmer medicine, but over the past year, his condition has worsened. A villager informed him about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where specialized doctors can help treat such injuries. He traveled for five hours to a consultation, where surgery was planned to correct his condition and enhance his mobility. His surgery is scheduled for September 2nd. Voeun's family has contributed $100 toward the surgery, but he still needs assistance raising an additional $408 to cover the full cost, which includes the surgery, anesthesia, post-operative medication, post-operative care, and physiotherapy. Voeun is hopeful and said: "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk, have no pain, and find a job again."

$408raised
Fully funded

Kimleng is an eight-year-old student from Cambodia. His family lives in Kampong Cham province, where his father works as a taxi driver, and his mother sells fruits from a small fruit stand on the side of the road. Kimleng has two siblings. His oldest brother is married and has a child, and his sister is in grade 12. Kimleng is in second grade and enjoys learning about Khmer history. At home, he likes to play with toy cars and eat chicken with noodles. For the past several years, Kimleng has been experiencing swallowing problems with frequent sore throats and fever. He often struggles to breathe at night, accompanied by loud snoring. The snoring disrupts his sleep, and he often misses school because he is tired and feels poorly. Kimleng was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Kimleng, which is scheduled to take place on July 4th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Kimleng of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Kimleng's mom shared: "I am hopeful that he will be able to eat better after this operation and sleep at night without snoring."

$345raised
Fully funded

Naw Cho is a 34-year-old woman from Burma. She lives in Karen State, Burma. She stays with her three-year-old daughter while her husband works elsewhere and supports her and her daughter monthly. Naw Cho shares this income with her parents-in-law, who live in a separate house. This money is enough to cover their general household expenses and basic healthcare. In her free time, Naw Cho loves playing with her daughter. She hopes to open a small shop to earn money and send her daughter to school. In 2018, while eating breakfast, Naw Cho opened her mouth and suddenly heard a loud sound in her jaw. She was unable to speak, and her jaw swelled up. After three days, she went to a local clinic that gave her an injection, which helped reduce the swelling. Three years later, her gums began to swell once again, and she sought treatment again. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was unable to receive treatment. Without the financial means to visit a private hospital, she relied on herbal medicine, which provided no relief. Uncertain of where else to seek help, she stopped pursuing medical treatment. Naw Cho's condition slowly worsened, causing much pain and discomfort. She has difficulty eating and speaking. Naw Cho sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on May 22nd. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Naw Cho said, “I feel happy now that I know there are people who can help me."

$1,500raised
Fully funded