Catherine is a 38-year-old woman from Malawi. She was born into a family of six children, but tragically, both her parents passed away. Catherine presently works as a sales representative and lives alone, but has two dependents: one in secondary school and the other in primary school.
Four years ago, Catherine began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling and pain in the neck. More recently, the pain has worsened, affecting both her shoulders which is greatly impacting her well-being. She sought medical attention at a local hospital where different tests were done. She was diagnosed with a goiter and was scheduled for surgery. In the waiting period, Catherine was advised by a friend to seek medical treatment at our partner care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH). On April 22nd, she was reviewed at PIH and the goiter diagnosis was confirmed. The surgeon recommended a thyroidectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. However, Catherine is unable to afford the surgical treatment costs.
Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare, is helping Catherine receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 7th to relieve the pain and swelling, and prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Now, Catherine needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure.
Catherine says: “Facing the hurdles of life alone has not dimmed my determination. Despite the challenges, I am hopeful that I will overcome this obstacle and I am committed to providing for my dependents. With the upcoming surgery, I see a path back to normalcy, where I can excel in my role as a sales representative and confidently pursue my goals once more.”