Thoeun is 75 years old and a loving grandmother from Cambodia. She plants rice and sells traditional Khmer desserts in her free time. She is married and has two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys attending ceremonies and visiting the pagoda. Five years ago, Thoeun developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind, or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Thoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 15th, Thoeun will undergo surgery to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Her family can contribute $25, but needs help raising $273 more to fund her procedure and care. Thoeun shared, "I hope that after the surgery, the irritation and tearing in my eyes will stop and my vision will improve. I would like to go back and sell Khmer desserts."

Kuntha is a 61-year-old corn farmer from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Cham Province with her elderly mother and her fourth sister, who works at a bank. She is the eldest of five siblings. While all of her younger siblings are married, she remains single. She enjoys listening to monks prayers and growing vegetables around her home in her free time. About 10 years ago, Kuntha noticed a small lump on the left side of the front of her neck. The lump gradually became larger over time. After evaluation at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter affecting the left thyroid lobe. Although the lump is not painful, it has become more noticeable over the years, making her worried about her health and self-conscious about the appearance of her neck. She also fears that it may continue to grow if left untreated. Kuntha traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 13th, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Kuntha is contributing to her treatment, but needs help to raise an additional $294 to fund the procedure. She said, “I hope this surgery will remove the lump and give me peace of mind. I have worried about it for many years, and I am grateful for the chance to finally receive treatment.”

Maly is a 56-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her elderly mother, and grows rice for a living. In her free time, Maly enjoys planting vegetables around her home. About six years ago, Maly was involved in a motorcycle accident, causing a severe injury to her right leg. She underwent several procedures, but currently her right ankle remains fused in an equinus position, causing pain in her right toes, and making it difficult to put weight on her foot. She currently walks in crutches, and has difficulty moving around independently. When Maly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for 4 hours seeking treatment. On September 8th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to improve the position and stability of her foot, reduce pain, and help her walk more comfortably. Maly is able to contribute towards the cost of her treatment, but needs help raising $536 more to fund the procedure. She says, “I hope this surgery will reduce the pain in my right foot and help me walk more comfortably, without depending so much on crutches. I wish to be able to move around more independently, and return to my daily activities.”