Joseph is a toddler from Haiti. He lives in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince with his parents and older sisters. He is a friendly and outgoing child and likes drawing and music. Joseph has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart, and blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen. This leaves him sick and short of breath. Joseph will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On April 11, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a catheter to insert a device into the hole, sealing it off. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $15,000 to pay for surgery. Joseph'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 Joseph's family overseas. His mother says, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping Joseph become healthy!"

Oy is a construction worker from Cambodia. He got married two months ago. He enjoys watching boxing matches, Cambodian Idol, and football matches on TV. He also likes to tend his garden. Nine months ago, Oy was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of his forearm. It is difficult for him to move and use his arm, and he is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 8, Oy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help him use his arm freely again. He says, "I hope I feel better after the operation and can move my arm without pain."

Thein is a 41-year-old Burmese man. He lives with his wife, and together they have two children. He has been unable to work for the past two years. His family is now entirely reliant on his sister and brother-in-law’s income. His sister works as a grocer, while her husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Thein was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Thein experiences severe fatigue and heart palpitations. He cannot walk long distances. He usually has difficulty sleeping at night, constantly worrying about how he cannot afford to pay for surgery. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Thein. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 21 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I have two children and a wife who I can’t support but I really want to,” explains Thein solemnly. “My sister only has a small shop but is trying to support everyone, so I feel very bad that I can’t help out.”

Min is a two-month-old baby from Thailand. He lives with his parents. Since birth, Min has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain. Fortunately, on January 22, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Min's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 22 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Min's mother says, "I am unable to put him down because he is crying so much."

Wai is an 18-year-old woman from Burma. For the past seven months, she has lived in Thailand crafting jewelry to be sold in Bangkok. About five months ago, Wai began experiencing pain in her abdomen and back. She is very worried about her condition. She has been diagnosed with fibroids, which are benign growths in the uterus. She needs to undergo a myomectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove the fibroids. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $960 to fund Wai's surgery. She is scheduled to undergo her myomectomy on November 14 at BCMF's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital. Wai says, "I am constantly worried about my family. A while ago, I had to resign from my work as I could not request leave from work whenever I am in pain."

Nerlo is a student from Haiti. He lives in a rural area in southwest Haiti with his grandmother. He is in the first grade in school. Nerlo has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Without treatment, this would be fatal. Nerlo will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On December 14, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blackage in the valve. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $19,000 to pay for surgery. Nerlo'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 Nerlo's family overseas. His grandmother says, "I would like to ask God to bless everyone who is helping my grandson have his surgery!"

Bwe is a six-year-old boy who lives with his family in Mae La Refugee Camp in Thailand. His family has lived in the camp since leaving their home in Karen State, Burma twelve years ago. Bwe’s father sometimes works as a day laborer in the cornfields outside of the camp, and his mother stays at home. When Bwe was an infant, he was diagnosed with thalassemia, a blood disorder. Bwe has to visit the clinic often, and he is underweight and pale. His frequent hospital visits have disrupted his schooling. This past month, his condition has worsened and he now needs surgery. On August 21, surgeons will operate on Bwe's spleen to help alleviate some of his symptoms. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,500 for his treatment. Bwe looks forward to growing up healthy, saying, "I want to be a soldier or a pilot when I grow up." His mother adds, “I want to fulfill his dream. That would make me happy.”

Carminia is a 41-year-old mother and wife from Guatemala. She has one child and works as a homemaker while her husband works in the local countryside. Carminia developed cataracts in both of her eyes years ago, and they have only gotten worse over time. This has lead to blurred vision, irritation, and tearing, and she no longer feels comfortable leaving her home alone. Carminia sought treatment through our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, and is now scheduled to receive cataract repair surgery on June 23. Due to the complicated nature of her cataracts, Carminia will require more evaluations and post surgery care than usual. The $1,500 requested by Wuqu' Kawoq will cover all of the expenses of her procedure, transportation, and care. Carminia says, “I do not have the words to thank the institution for all the support we've received. All that I hope for now, is that my operation goes well.”

Kunthea is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia. When Kunthea was a child, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. The curve in her back has worsened and causes Kunthea discomfort. Seeking treatment, Kunthea visited our medical partner’s care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, where she was told she would undergo a procedure to treat her condition. The surgery with help correct the position of the bones, and prevent further curving of the spine. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for $1,500 to cover the cost of Kunthea's surgery on September 5. Kunthea's mother says, "I want my daughter to be healthy and stay in school".

Mynor is an eight-year-old boy who lives with his parents and brother in Guatemala. Mynor’s father works several days a week, and Mynor’s mother contributes to the family income by preparing snacks and other foods for local schools and organizations. Mynor has strabismus. This means his eyes do not align in the same direction, and appear crossed. Mynor has complained of problems with his vision for years. He often has difficulty seeing the blackboard in his classroom, and reading is a struggle. Mynor’s parents are very worried about their son’s eyesight, knowing how difficult it is for Mynor in school. Other symptoms of strabismus include double vision, uncoordinated eye movements, fatigue, headache, and loss of vision or depth perception. If left untreated, Mynor’s vision could be permanently damaged. Mynor will receive a strabismus surgery on the muscles around his eyes to alter the way they align. As part of his treatment, he will receive a consultation with an eye specialist before and after surgery, and he will be accompanied by a staff member from our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, throughout the entire process. The surgery itself is fairly simple, and requires a day or two in the hospital. With this treatment, Mynor will have healthy eyes for the first time in his life. He will be able to see clearly, which will help him in his studies and impact his life for years to come. Mynor’s mother says, “I feel a great happiness and gratitude for this amazing support that you are giving to my son. Thank you for helping people like us and for worrying about our health.” Watsi is requesting $1,500 to fund Mynor's procedure.

Neang is a 67-year-old woman from Cambodia who is married and has two daughters, three sons, and six grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to listen to monks pray at the pagoda and watch Khmer and Thai movies on TV. About three months ago, Neang developed a cataract in each eye, which has caused her to experience blurred vision, tearing, and cloudy lenses. As a result, it is difficult for her to see things clearly, do any work, or go anywhere outside by herself comfortably. Neang worries about going blind one day. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $398 to fund small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant for each of Neang's eyes. The surgery is scheduled to take place on July 4 and, once completed, will hopefully restore Neang's vision to its former state and allow her to live more comfortably.

Luis is one and a half months old and lives with his mother, father, and three siblings on the rural coast of Guatemala. Luis is an active baby who spends his time observing the world and moving his little hands and feet. Luis's mother has tried to breastfeed him but each time she does he has vomited the milk back up. His mother brought him to a local health center where he was diagnosed with a breast milk allergy, and prescribed formula. Unfortunately, Luis's family does not have the resources to purchase the formula, so Luis has been subsisting on warm water with sugar to fill him up. Luis is not receiving the nutrition he needs for healthy growth. Lactation allergies can lead to starvation, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,162 to fund formula for Luis and nutritional education for his mother, which is scheduled to begin on May 23. One-on-one education with Luis’s mother will teach her how to provide a nutritious, inexpensive diet for her son. She will also learn to check for signs of malnutrition and other illness. Luis’s mother says, “My husband and I are worried because our son was prescribed formula, but we don’t have the resources to buy it. Every time my son breastfeeds he vomits and I don’t want him to be underweight and sick. Thank you all for the help that my son will receive. May God bless you. I wish to see my son grow up to study and in the future become a professional.”