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Matthew BundayUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Matthew's Story

Matthew joined Watsi on March 12th, 2013. Ten years ago, Matthew joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Matthew's most recent donation supported Filisitiya, a mother of five from Malawi, to fund a hysterectomy.

Impact

Matthew has funded healthcare for 116 patients in 15 countries.

Patients funded by Matthew

Emily is five-year-old student who lives with her family in Medellin, Colombia. Her joy and curiosity shine through every day at preschool, where she interacts with her classmates with enthusiasm and tenderness. Her energy is contagious, and her sweetness leaves a special impression on those around her. When she grows up, she dreams of becoming a firefighter or a veterinarian. Emily was born with an inguinal hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the abdominal wall near the groin. This condition causes discomfort and tenderness, especially when coughing or exercising. Because she has to be cautious with her movements, Emily has begun to feel insecure, particularly during physical education classes and when playing at the park. Without surgery, Emily will continue to experience symptoms, will have difficulty fully enjoying her childhood, and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, on April 27th, Emily will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Emily's mother shared, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people that will support her surgery. Thank you for extending your generous hand without even knowing her personally. This gesture is, without a doubt, one of the purest expressions of human kindness. May God bless you abundantly, may He multiply your generosity with blessings in your life, and may He continue to guide every endeavor you undertake. Your support not only covers a medical need but also fills our hearts with hope and peace. Thank you for giving us hope that Emily can once again live out her childhood with freedom and confidence."

$1,005raised
Fully funded

Jana is a four-year-old young girl from El Bagre, Colombia. She is an active, cheerful preschooler who loves spending time with her family and enjoys music and dancing. Even at a young age, Jana shows a caring heart and dreams of becoming a doctor one day so she can help people, or animals, in need. Unfortunately, Jana has developed severe dental caries and infections. Because of her young age, she requires extensive dental treatment under general anesthesia to safely address the problem. At times, Jana feels sad because other children tease her about her teeth, and she hopes her teeth can be fixed. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $868 to fund treatment for her infection and severe tooth decay under general anesthesia on March 20th. Doctors hope this care will allow Jana to grow up healthy, free from pain, and able to smile with confidence. Jana's mother shares, "To anyone who wants to do their bit to help my daughter, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We are a low-income family; I am a single mother, I do odd jobs, and unfortunately, I do not have the financial means to cover the treatment she needs, as it is very expensive. God bless every person who can help make this surgery possible. My daughter dreams of the day when she can smile without fear or pain. She always tells me, 'Mom, when I have my pretty teeth, I'm going to laugh all the time, and they won't hurt anymore.' That is her greatest wish, and hopefully we will see it come true very soon. May God reward you for your support, solidarity, and prayers."

$868raised
Fully funded

Thandiwe is 45 years old and a mother of three children from Malawi. Her health has been deteriorating over the years, causing deep concern for her younger sister, Jane, who now lives in Lilongwe and has been her main source of support. When she was in better health, Thandiwe earned a living through selling tomoatoes, while her husband engaged in small-scale farming. Six years ago, Thandiwe began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling in her neck that made swallowing difficult. She sought treatment at various local hospitals but was only given pain medication without relief. She has experienced significant weight loss, loss of appetite, and breathlessness, leaving her weak and unable to live normally. Unfortunately, the frequent hospital visits and medication costs drained all her business capital, leaving her unable to afford further treatment. Thandiwe's sister took her to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, to be evaluated. She was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter, an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Thandiwe receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 11th. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Thandiwe shared, "I was very energetic before the illness; I have lost so much weight, and I look forward to positive results after your surgery support. Kindly help me to find peace."

$1,015raised
Fully funded