Sroeun is a 71-year-old woman with one daughter and three grandchildren. Sadly, her husband died during the Khmer Rouge regime many years ago. Sroeun lives with her daughter, who works as a farmer, and with her grandchildren. In her free time, Sroeun likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio.
Five years ago, Sroeun developed a pterygium in her right eye causing her irritation, tearing, and burning in the eye. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Sroeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On October 11th, Sroeun will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Now, she needs help raising $216 to cover the cost of her procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Sroeun shared, “I hope after surgery my eye irritation and tearing stops. When I am better, I can help my daughter take care of my grandchildren and help her cook.”
