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Success! Lenny from Haiti raised $957 to fund hydrocephalus treatment so she can grow to be a strong, healthy girl.

Lenny
100%
  • $957 raised, $0 to go
$957
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Lenny's treatment was fully funded on December 8, 2022.

Photo of Lenny post-operation

December 20, 2022

Lenny underwent hydrocephalus treatment so she can grow to be a strong, healthy girl.

Having the shunt placed on will allow Lenny to develop and grow without ongoing complications from hydrocephalus. She had a successful surgery and is now back home with her family recovering.

Lenny’s family shared that they are happy and grateful that their child now has a chance at a full life.

Having the shunt placed on will allow Lenny to develop and grow without ongoing complications from hydrocephalus. She had a successful surge...

Read more
July 5, 2022

Lenny is a beautiful eight-month-old baby girl from Haiti. She is a happy and bubbly girl who loves to smile and play with her mother!

Lenny has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Lenny has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Lenny will experience severe physical and developmental delays.

Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Lenny at Hospital Bernard Mevs, where she will receive treatment for her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the whole country where this care is currently available. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 5th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Lenny’s brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Lenny will hopefully grow to be a strong, healthy young girl.

Lenny’s family expressed that they are hoping for a successful surgery that will help Lenny to grow and develop without complications.

Lenny is a beautiful eight-month-old baby girl from Haiti. She is a happy and bubbly girl who loves to smile and play with her mother! Le...

Read more

Lenny's Timeline

  • July 5, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Lenny was submitted by Jennifer Rogers, Chief Nursing Officer at Project Medishare.

  • July 5, 2022
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Lenny received treatment at Hospital Bernard Mevs 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.

  • July 8, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Lenny's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • December 8, 2022
    FULLY FUNDED

    Lenny's treatment was fully funded.

  • December 20, 2022
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Lenny's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 19 donors

Funded by 19 donors

Treatment
Hydrocephalus VPS
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $957 for Lenny's treatment
Hospital Fees
$357
Medical Staff
$100
Medication
$80
Supplies
$60
Labs
$10
Radiology
$350
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Families usually notice this condition with their child as their head grows large. These children do not reach normal developmental milestones and become unable to hold their head up, sit on their own, or talk. Some children become very irritable and become unable to suck and swallow so getting enough nutrition becomes difficult.

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

Children living with hydrocephaly are living with some form of brain damage that progresses as they get older. This damage will prevent them from developing on a normal trajectory. They have trouble eating, being able to sit, stand and communicate. Often they develop seizures and often experience pain and irritability. If it remains untreated, this condition will lead to death.

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

There is a lot of fear and stigma toward these patients as their heads grow large. Families with children who have hydrocephalus have trouble finding caregivers and support because of this fear. Also it is a financial burden to care for these children because of medication for seizures and the extra care they require as they grow older.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The treatment process involves a surgery to stop the extra fluid in the brain from accumulating and putting pressure on the brain. This is done by putting a small tube in the brain that drains the fluid into the abdomen (VP shunt). The patient usually spends one or two nights in the hospital and then goes home with a tiny incision in their head and abdomen.

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

This treatment is the only thing that will save the patient’s life. This treatment will prevent further brain damage. If it is caught early it allows the child to grow and develop fully. If it is caught late, the patient can receive therapy to assist them to overcome the developmental difficulties caused by the damage already done to their brain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

In some children the shunt that drains the fluid into the abdomen can become blocked or infected. In these cases the shunt is removed, the infection is treated, and the shunt is replaced.

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

There is only one hospital in the country that performs surgeries for children with hydrocephaly. This hospital is in Port au Prince, Haiti. Children that live in the North or South of the country have to travel very far for clinic visits and surgery. This requires spending all day or several days on public transport to reach the hospital.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

There are no current alternatives this treatment. If the brain damage is too far advanced then palliative care to treat the child’s pain and support the family is the only other option.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Dollores

Dollores is a hardworking 59-year-old woman from Philippines. She was an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, and then worked as a call center agent. Unfortunately, in October 2022, she was dismissed from her job due to being medically unfit. Now, she lives with her daughter and family, and the sole breadwinner is her son-in-law, who works in finance. In June 2022, Dollores noticed a mass on her right breast. At her initial examination, she was told that the mass was benign, but in a follow-up biopsy, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, or a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been recommended to remove the cancer and prevent it from metastasizing. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Dollores receive treatment. On January 7th, she will undergo a mastectomy at WSFP's care center. After treatment, Dollores will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Dollores needs help raising $1,058 to cover the remaining cost of her procedure and care. Dollores shared tearfully, "your help brings relief to my heart and mind. This will ease my worries, especially about the medical bill. I believe that there's a reason why you're saving me, and that's for me to continue with my life. Thank you, WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines! I hope to give back the help that you've given me."

34% funded

34%funded
$368raised
$690to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Dollores

Dollores is a hardworking 59-year-old woman from Philippines. She was an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, and then worked as a call center agent. Unfortunately, in October 2022, she was dismissed from her job due to being medically unfit. Now, she lives with her daughter and family, and the sole breadwinner is her son-in-law, who works in finance. In June 2022, Dollores noticed a mass on her right breast. At her initial examination, she was told that the mass was benign, but in a follow-up biopsy, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, or a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been recommended to remove the cancer and prevent it from metastasizing. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Dollores receive treatment. On January 7th, she will undergo a mastectomy at WSFP's care center. After treatment, Dollores will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Dollores needs help raising $1,058 to cover the remaining cost of her procedure and care. Dollores shared tearfully, "your help brings relief to my heart and mind. This will ease my worries, especially about the medical bill. I believe that there's a reason why you're saving me, and that's for me to continue with my life. Thank you, WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines! I hope to give back the help that you've given me."

34% funded

34%funded
$368raised
$690to go