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Success! Marie-Litane from Haiti raised $1,085 to fund a mastectomy.

Marie-Litane
100%
  • $1,085 raised, $0 to go
$1,085
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Marie-Litane's treatment was fully funded on January 8, 2018.

Photo of Marie-Litane post-operation

August 14, 2017

Marie-Litane underwent a mastectomy.

Marie-Litane had a successful mastectomy. She is excited to get back into the swing of her activities and ultimately feel like herself again. She is looking forward to being healthy and independent.

She says, “Everything went so well and I can only be thankful and grateful.”

Marie-Litane had a successful mastectomy. She is excited to get back into the swing of her activities and ultimately feel like herself again...

Read more
July 29, 2017

Marie-Litane is a 61-year-old woman from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She has one daughter and three grandchildren, all of whom she adores. Before the development of her condition, Marie-Litane operated a small beauty salon from within her home. She also cooks, loves to bake, and farms a little as well.

Upon feeling a potential mass in her breast, Marie-Litane had a mammogram and multiple exams conducted at a nearby health center. Results confirmed a diagnosis of breast cancer. Marie-Litane has since undergone four sessions of chemotherapy.

Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, is requesting $1,085 to fund a mastectomy for Marie-Litane, which is scheduled to take place on July 29. The procedure will greatly decrease the risk of cancer metastasis and will hopefully allow her to return to the activities that she greatly enjoys. Marie-Litane has not felt like herself in a long time; following surgery, she is looking forward to being healthy and more independent.

Marie-Litane is a 61-year-old woman from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She has one daughter and three grandchildren, all of whom she adores. Before...

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Marie-Litane's Timeline

  • July 29, 2017
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Marie-Litane was submitted by Gaelle Mondestin at Innovating Health International.

  • July 29, 2017
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Marie-Litane received treatment at St. Luc Family Hospital in Haiti. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.

  • August 14, 2017
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Marie-Litane's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • August 14, 2017
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Marie-Litane's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • January 8, 2018
    FULLY FUNDED

    Marie-Litane's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 22 donors

Funded by 22 donors

Treatment
Mastectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $1,085 for Marie-Litane's treatment
Hospital Fees
$815
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$95
Supplies
$110
Travel
$10
Labs
$40
Radiology
$15
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients present with lumps in the breast, dimpling of the skin, swelling in the armpit, or discharge from the nipple.

​What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

Breast cancer is a fatal disease. In Haiti, a mastectomy is the only option for treatment.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Because cancer care is a relatively recent option in Haiti, cancer is seen as a death sentence. Haitians are very hesitant to remove a part of their body for fear of social stigma. To minimize this fear, our medical partner offers breast reconstruction. Patients also receive counseling before and after surgery.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Patients receive chemotherapy for several months either before or after surgery. The surgery lasts two hours and recovery lasts two weeks.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This treatment saves lives.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Patients might develop infections because many do not have access to clean water. To combat this possibility, patients are given bottles of wound cleanser. A few patients might develop permanent arm swelling. In some cases, cancer can recur.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

In the entire country, there are only three options for cancer care. Through private doctors, a mastectomy can cost several thousand dollars. Many women move from doctor to doctor and exhaust all their savings.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Without treatment, patients will likely pass away.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.