Christie is a four-year-old girl from Haiti, who lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in preschool, and is learning to read. She loves dressing up and playing with her friends. Christie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Christie will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device on the end of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Christie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Christie's family overseas. Christie's mother says: "Our family is so thankful that our daughter has this chance to travel and to get her heart healed!"

Roth is a seven-year-old Grade 2 student from Cambodia. She lives in Kandal Province with her parents and her four-year-old brother. Her father is a police officer, and her mother is a nurse at a private clinic. She enjoys playing with her little brother, loves studying Khmer, and dreams of becoming a doctor. Roth had an ear infection since the age of two. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Roth experiences recurrent ear discharge, left ear pain, repeated ear infections, and moderate hearing loss in both ears. The repeated ear infections and hearing loss affect her ability to hear clearly and may interfere with her learning and daily activities. Without treatment, she remains at risk of ongoing infections and worsening hearing. Roth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 14th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $363 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Roth's mother said, “I hope this surgery will stop my daughter’s repeated ear infections and help her hear better. It has been difficult to see her suffer for so many years, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.”

Nich is a 50-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and lives in Battambang Province with her husband, who serves in the army at the border. They have three children; the eldest sells pork at a local market, the second child works as a coffee seller, and the youngest is a university student. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and helping with household tasks. In September 2024, Nich suffered severe burns in a gas explosion while cooking. Although her burn wounds healed after treatment at a local clinic, she developed significant scar contractures affecting her neck and both armpits, with the neck being the most severely affected area. She later underwent burn contracture release surgery with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Following that procedure, her condition improved, and she experienced better movement and comfort. However, over time, the scar contracture gradually recurred, causing increasing tightness around her neck. The tight scars make it difficult for Nich to turn or extend her head normally, and she sometimes struggles to eat because of the restricted movement. On June 18th, surgeons at CSC will perform a free flap procedure to release the severe neck contracture and reconstruct the affected area with healthy tissue. This surgery is expected to improve neck movement, reduce tightness and discomfort, enhance function, and lower the risk of future recurrence. The procedure will also help her eat more comfortably and carry out daily activities with greater ease and independence. Nich said, “I am very grateful for the treatment and support I received before. It helped me feel much better for a long time. I hope this surgery will further improve my condition, allow me to move my neck more freely, and help me enjoy daily life with my family without discomfort.”