Myo is a 43-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his wife and three children in Tak Province. Myo used to work as a construction worker. However, he stopped working last year because of his health condition. His wife makes snacks and sells them in the community. Myo has a heart condition that requires the replacement of his aortic and mitral heart valves and the repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Because of this condition, Myo experiences chest and back pains and shortness of breath. He has difficulty breathing and is unable to sleep well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this complex surgery. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital on March 13th. After the surgery, Myo is expected to live more comfortably and have a more active life. Myo said, “I feel sad for my family because I can not support them. After my wife gave birth to my youngest daughter, my neighbor helped us with some food and snacks for my children. I also could not afford to pay for my surgery and I had to borrow money for my medical cost.”

Phalla lives with her five siblings, their aunt and cousin in Kampong Thum province in Cambodia. Her relatives work as merchants in the local market and one sibling is a teacher. In March 2021, Phalla fell while walking down the stairs of her home and fractured her right hip. She was not able to seek immediate treatment due to COVID-19 lockdowns and her fear of going to the hospital. Eventually, Phalla was treated at a nearby hospital, but the fracture has still not healed. She experiences constant pain and relies on a wheelchair. Phalla and her younger brother travelled for six hours to seek help from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On April 24th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a hemiarthroplasty surgery on her right hip. This will help Phalla regain her mobility and to live without pain. Phalla and her family are able to contribute $100 but need help raising $444 to fund the procedure and post-op care. Phalla hopes surgery will eliminate her pain and enable her to walk again. She would like to start looking for work once she has healed.

Two-month-old Dayana is the first child of her mother, who is a food vendor, and her father, who works in construction. She battles a condition called coarctation of the aorta. One of Dayana's major blood vessels connected to her heart is too narrow, this causes blood to back up into her heart, which can lead to heart failure. Fortunately there is a treatment than can cure her condition. During surgery, doctors will expand the aorta to allow blood to flow normally. She is scheduled for treatment on February 8th and our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is helping her family to raise $1,500 to support the cost of care. Dayana's mother says, "We have been very afraid for our daughter's life ever since she was born, and so we are so glad to have this opportunity!"