Ustinah is a 50-year-old farmer and a mother of five children. Born in a family of 16, she has 2 brothers and 13 sisters. Just before joining primary school class seven, her mother had a serious fracture of her leg. Ustinah remained at home nursing her. By the time she recovered, her classmates had moved on to higher levels, discouraging Ustinah from continuing with her studies. Ustinah and her husband grow food crops like beans, maize, and potatoes for home consumption and sell off the surplus to generate an income for the family. Five years ago, Ustinah began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling accompanied by shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and swallowing, numbness, and inability to tilt her neck sideways. She was examined and requested to do a scan and run some thyroid tests. She was diagnosed with a bilateral goiter. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ustinah receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 8th, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Usitnah says, “At times at night, I am unable to breathe. I stay awake until morning, and this has made things difficult for me and affected my health. I believe that with your support, I will be able to undergo my surgery and will get better.”

Rhona Kristine is a hardworking 23-year-old from the Philippines. She works as an office staff at a private school. Her mother and older sister are unable to work due to sickness, so her income and her father's income must sustain their family, but they shared they are barely able to cover their expenses. Since Rhona Kristine's condition was diagnosed, she has been persistently seeking medical treatment so that she can heal and continue to work to support her family. Two years ago, her neighbor noticed a growing lump on her neck. Aside from the mass continuing to grow, Rhona Kristine did not experience symptoms relating to her condition. Upon visiting the hospital, she was diagnosed with nodular non-toxic goiter and informed she needed surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Rhona Kristine receive treatment. She will undergo a thyroidectomy on August 28th. During the procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is supporting a portion of the cost of her treatment, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Rhona Kristine's procedure and care. Rhona Kristine said, "The possibility of a free operation will make me and my family really happy, so I am grateful to the people and donors who will make this possible for me. This will not only help me, but also my family, especially since my father and I are the only ones working. Thank you very much."

Mia is a six-month-old baby who lives with her parents in eastern Bolivia. Her father is a taxi driver, and her mother was a bank cashier but is currently taking care of Mia full time. Mia has a cardiac condition called coarctation of the aorta. A major blood vessel next to the heart is too narrow, causing blood to back up and not circulate properly through the heart and body, leaving her weak and unable to gain weight. On October 1st, Mia will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will open her aorta to a more normal size so that blood can flow through it. Mia's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Mia's mother says, "Our family was so happy when we learned about the opportunity for surgery. We will be keeping everyone who is helping our daughter in our thoughts and prayers!"