Aye is a 25-year-old young woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband in Mae Sot, Tak Province. She works as a laundry worker. In her spare time, Aye likes to cook and clean the house. For two years, Aye has been experiencing abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian mass or cyst. She has been advised to undergo an oophorectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her ovaries. Fortunately, Aye is scheduled to undergo her oophorectomy on October 19. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $913 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Aye said, “When I feel better I will find a good paying job and save money so I can open a small shop in Burma.”

Mary is a woman from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of three children and has one child, who is five years old. Her parents are farmers, and her mother also sells green vegetables at the market to support the family. Currently, Mary works at a bar to support her child. Four weeks ago, Mary developed severe pain on her right side. Due to the pain, she was unable to go to work and do her normal chores. She went to a hospital, where an ultrasound scan showed she has cholelithiasis, or gallstones. She needs to undergo abdominal surgery to treat the condition. If not treated, Mary may experience complications, such as obstruction of the bile duct or inflammation of the gall bladder. Fortunately, surgery is scheduled for September 6. This procedure will cost $750.

Naw December is a mother of eight children from Burma. She lives with her husband and eight children. Naw December and her husband are farmers. In November 2017, Naw December noticed that she could not sit due to pain in her stomach and back. She went to the nearest clinic, where the doctor examined her and prescribed medication. The medication did not help, and the pain continued to worsen. The doctor then suggested that she visit Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), our medical partner's care center. Once there, she was referred to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for an x-ray. She was diagnosed with gallstones. Naw December has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Naw December'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), Naw December is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on August 28. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Naw December's procedure and care. Naw December says, "Now, I experience the abdominal pain and a dry throat, and am stressed because I do not have money to continue visiting hospitals. I hope to get better soon and help out on the farm."

Mousanto is a baby from Haiti. He lives with his mother and father in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. He is their first child. Mousanto has a cardiac condition called abnormal origin of the right pulmonary artery. One of the two arteries that connects Mousanto's heart to his lungs is malformed and does not properly circulate blood. As a result, his body cannot obtain the oxygen it needs. In order to understand exactly what is wrong with the artery and how best to fix it, a diagnostic catheterization is required. To determine if Mousanto's condition is operable, he must undergo a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, a procedure that is not available in Haiti. During the procedure, a catheter probe will be inserted into his heart to perform the necessary measurements and tests. On August 21, he will travel to the Dominican Republic to receive the scan at our medical partner's care center, Clinica Corominas. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to cover the costs of Mousanto's travel expenses, catheterization procedure, and lab work. His mother says, "We are very thankful to everyone who is helping our son become healthy."

Milien is a young man from Haiti. He lives with his parents, brothers and sisters in Port-au-Prince. He has not yet finished high school because of his heart condition. He enjoys going to church and spending time with his family and neighbors. Milien has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not function properly because it was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever he suffered several years ago. As a result, his heart cannot adequately circulate blood through his body, and he is weak and in heart failure. Milien will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 27, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair or replace his damaged mitral valve.. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $60,000 to pay for surgery. Milien's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Milien's family overseas. He says, "I pray for God's blessings on everyone who is helping me to have this surgery."

Mary is a 41-year-old woman living in Nairobi with her husband and five children. Before becoming ill, Mary worked at the Nairobi dumpsite while her husband worked as a day laborer offloading sand from lorries. Four of her children are in primary school and the eldest completed high school last year. About a year ago, Mary noticed several lumps in her right breast. She went to the hospital and was given some oral medication. She continued to worry about the lumps and visited a second hospital, where a biopsy was performed. The biopsy confirmed Mary's fear that the lumps were cancerous. Her doctors have recommended that she have a mastectomy to prevent the cancer from spreading. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to fund Mary's surgery, which is scheduled to take place on September 22. Mary is determined to get well so that she can care for her children. She says, "My children are still young and need me. I don’t want to die and leave them struggling in the slums. At least I managed to teach one of them through high school. I wish I will be able to see the others through high school as well."

Seetotaw is an 18-month-old living in Ethiopia with his mother and father. His father supports the family as a traditional basket weaver, while his mother stays home to care for him. Seetotaw is a happy infant who loves music and dance. Seetotaw was born with a congenital condition called bladder exstrophy, which means that his bladder pokes through the outside of his abdomen. The exposure of his bladder puts him at heightened risk of injury and infection and requires constant care. Doctors have recommended that he undergo surgery to repair the bladder abnormality. His parents are worried that without the surgery their son will continue to require constant medical care and be stigmatized in the community. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund Seetotaw's surgery. His parents are hopeful that this surgery will allow him to to have a happy and healthy childhood.

Stanley is a young child from Haiti. He lives with his mother and grandmother in a small city southwest of the capital. He enjoys listening to music and playing with his toys. Stanley also has Down syndrome. Stanley has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On October 4, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons, will sew a patch over the hole to close it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5000 to pay for surgery. Stanley's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "Our family is so happy to know that Stanley's heart can be fixed!"

Evenson is a 14-month-old little boy from Haiti. He lives with his parents in Port-au-Prince. His mother stays at home to take care of him, and his father works to support their family. Evenson was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a heart condition involving several defects, including a hole between two of his heart's chambers and a muscular blockage in one of the heart's valves. As a result, not enough oxygen is delivered to his body, leaving Evenson feeling weak. On August 9, Evenson will be flown to our medical partner's care center, Health City Cayman Islands. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,343 to cover the cost of Evenson's transportation from Haiti to Cayman Islands where he will receive heart surgery. Eveson's family is looking forward to him being healthy!

Jenny is a four-year-old girl who lives in the Philippines with her parents and five siblings. They live in a coastal area, where Jenny's father works as a tricycle driver. Jenny has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. She is at risk of growth and developmental delays if she does not receive treatment. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), is requesting $261 to enroll Jenny in a home-based malnutrition intervention program. Scheduled to begin on June 27, the program will provide Jenny with nutrient-rich food packs, micronutrient supplements, and medications. ICM staff and community volunteers will make weekly visits to monitor Jenny's progress and will educate Jenny's family on how to provide a healthy, wholesome, and affordable diet for their daughter. "I hope Jenny can gain weight and recover from malnutrition so that she can one day finish school and have a good job in the future," says Jenny's mother.

Ekelemani is a 23-year-old nursing student from Malawi. He is a dedicated scholar and spends most of his days in nursing clinics and studying his materials. When not studying, he likes to hang out with his friends and play football. Three months ago, Ekelemani began to develop pain in his lower abdomen. Upon a visit to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, it was determined that he has an inguinal hernia—a condition in which the intestine bulges through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Doctors recommended a surgical procedure to repair the issue. "I need this surgery," Ekelemani says. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to cover the cost of the operation, scheduled for April 13. After surgery, Ekelemani will be able to return to his studies free of pain.

Francis is a one-year-old boy from the Philippines. During the day, he loves to be around his mom. Francis was born with a cleft lip and palate. His condition caused him to have feeding and speech difficulty. However, a surgery can correct this. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is helping Francis receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo cleft lip repair on May 24 at our medical partner's care center, Mindanao Medical Center. Surgeons will repair his cleft lip. This procedure will cost $58, and he and his family need help raising money. "We are happy for this opportunity, and thank you for your help" says Lucelyn, Francis's mother.