Lea Dufourd-SharabashUNIVERSAL FUND MEMBER

Lea's Story

Lea joined Watsi on March 12th, 2013. Eleven years ago, Lea joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Lea's most recent donation supported Anna, a student from Haiti, to fund treatment leading up to, and following heart surgery.

Impact

Lea has funded healthcare for 129 patients in 15 countries.

Patients funded by Lea

Francisco is an eight-year-old boy who lives in Colombia with his family. He is intelligent, charismatic, and extremely friendly. Francisco's energy spreads joy, and his sweetness leaves a special impression on everyone around him. When he grows up, he dreams of becoming an inventor to change the world with his ideas. About one year ago, Francisco developed an umbilical hernia, a bulge that occurs when abdominal tissue pushes through a small opening near the belly button. Although umbilical hernias do not usually cause acute pain, Francisco experiences tenderness and discomfort that limit his daily activities, such as running, jumping, and playing with his friends. If left untreated, the hernia also carries the risk of complications, such as incarceration or strangulation. Fortunately, on September 17th, Francisco will undergo surgery to repair the hernia at our medical partner’s care center, Clinica Noel. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Francisco's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Francisco’s mother shared: "I want to express my most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the people who have decided to sponsor his surgery. Thank you for extending your generous hand without even knowing us personally; that gesture is one of the purest expressions of human kindness. Your support not only makes this surgery possible and addresses a medical need, but it also restores our peace of mind and fills our hearts with hope that Francisco will once again be able to play and dream without limitations. May God bless you abundantly, multiply your generosity in your life, and continue to guide every endeavor you undertake. With infinite gratitude, Francisco’s mom and the entire family"

$1,005raised
Fully funded

Gideon is a 10-year-old boy from Kenya, and the fifth-born in a family of seven children. Gideon’s parents first noticed a problem with his leg when he was only two months old. As he got older, it became evident that he was not developing like other children. Gideon was later diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement on one side of the body and makes walking difficult. Because of this condition, Gideon has faced many challenges. Although he is 10 years old, he is currently a Grade 1 pupil, whereas he should be in Grade 4. Difficulty in mobility has delayed his education, and limited his ability to play and move freely like other children. Despite these challenges, Gideon is a calm and hopeful child who longs to walk well and enjoy school like his peers. His father works as a herder, while his mother is a housewife who takes care of the family. Gideon’s parents have remained supportive and continue to hope for a better future for their son. His father shared his heartfelt wish, saying, “I want my child’s legs to be treated so that he can walk well like other children.” Gideon has clubfoot of right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Gideon traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Gideon's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will improve his mobility, regain confidence, and continue his education without limitations. “I work hard as a herder, and my greatest hope is that this treatment will help Gideon walk better and go on with his schooling.” Gideon's father said.

$1,286raised
Fully funded