Cloryn is a 43-year-old woman from the Philippines. She is a hardworking wife who contributes to her family's needs by working at a small shake store, while her husband works as a fisherman. She stays active through her work and household responsibilities, and enjoys watching videos on her cellphone during her free time. About three months ago, Cloryn began to experience troubling symptoms, including a lump on the base of her throat. She was diagnosed with a multinodular colloid goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. She was advised that surgery would be needed, but financial limitations made it difficult for her to continue with the recommended follow-up care. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Cloryn receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 17th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Cloryn's procedure and care. Cloryn says, "I am very grateful to the donor program which has been a great help to us. Thank you very much to WSFP and Our Lady of Peace Hospital."

Birhanu is 75 years old and a retired soldier from Ethiopia. His wife makes handicrafts to bring in extra money. Together, they work hard to support their four children—three sons and one daughter. For more than two years, however, a growing cloud in his left eye—known as a cataract—has turned his life upside down. Birhanu's vision has become blurry and weak, making it dangerous for him to walk outside, especially after dark. Simple chores around the house have also become exhausting challenges, taking away the independence and quiet daily routines he has relied on for decades. Fortunately, Birhanu is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Birhanu shared, "I hope to walk safely at night, go back to doing odd jobs to help my family, handle chores on my own, and get my confidence and active life back in the community."

Hory is an 80-year-old man and a retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He is a widower, and he has one son, three daughters, and five grandchildren. He currently lives with his oldest daughter, who is a housewife. His favorite hobbies are listening to the radio, praying with monks, and attending religious ceremonies. Hory has had a cataract in his right eye for the past three years. This causes itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Hory learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Hory shared, "I hope that after the surgery, my vision will improve so that I can see more clearly and go outside more easily. I hope to grow some vegetables around the house and participate in religious ceremonies more comfortably."