Success! Elisabeth from Haiti raised $1,085 to fund mastectomy surgery.

100%

$1,085 raised, $0 to go

$1,085

raised

to go

Elisabeth's story
Elisabeth's update

March 17, 2017

Elisabeth is a 41-year-old mother from Haiti. She has two children, aged 11 and 15. Elisabeth works as a street merchant to support her family.

In July of 2016, Elisabeth sought out medical help for a mass that developed in her breast. A few weeks later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and began chemotherapy treatment. The chemotherapy has worked to reduce her cancerous cells, but she will need surgery to completely eliminate her cancer.

On March 17, Elisabeth will undergo mastectomy surgery at our medical partner’s care center, St. Luc Family Hospital. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, is asking for $1,085 to cover the cost of her operation.

After treatment, Elisabeth hopes to get back to work and regain her independence!

Elisabeth is a 41-year-old mother from Haiti. She has two children, aged 11 and 15. Elisabeth works as a street merchant to support her fami...

Photo of Elisabeth post-operation

March 29, 2017

Elisabeth underwent a successful mastectomy surgery.

Now, she hopes to get back to work. She is ready to be present in her children’s lives and watch them grow. She wants to be fully healthy and regain her independence.

She says, “I feel blessed and so thankful. I am ready to continue to live.”

Now, she hopes to get back to work. She is ready to be present in her children’s lives and watch them grow. She wants to be fully healthy an...

March 17, 2017
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Elisabeth was submitted by Gaelle Mondestin at Innovating Health International.
March 17, 2017
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Elisabeth received treatment at St. Luc Family Hospital 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.
March 17, 2017
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Elisabeth's profile was published to start raising funds.
March 29, 2017
TREATMENT UPDATE
Elisabeth's treatment was successful. Read the update.
September 1, 2017
FULLY FUNDED
Elisabeth's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 9 donors

Treatment

Mastectomy

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $1,085 for Elisabeth's treatment

Hospital Fees

$815

Medical Staff

Medication

$95

Supplies

$110

Travel

$10

Labs

$40

Radiology

$15

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients present with lumps in the breast, dimpling of the skin, swelling in the armpit, or discharge from the nipple.

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

Breast cancer is a fatal disease. In Haiti, a mastectomy is the only option for treatment.

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

Because cancer care is a relatively recent option in Haiti, cancer is seen as a death sentence. Haitians are very hesitant to remove a part of their body for fear of social stigma. To minimize this fear, our medical partner offers breast reconstruction. Patients also receive counseling before and after surgery.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Patients receive chemotherapy for several months either before or after surgery. The surgery lasts two hours and recovery lasts two weeks.

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

This treatment saves lives.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Patients might develop infections because many do not have access to clean water. To combat this possibility, patients are given bottles of wound cleanser. A few patients might develop permanent arm swelling. In some cases, cancer can recur.

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

In the entire country, there are only three options for cancer care. Through private doctors, a mastectomy can cost several thousand dollars. Many women move from doctor to doctor and exhaust all their savings.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Without treatment, patients will likely pass away.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Ol is a 52-year-old rice farmer who lives in Kampot province with her husband. Their three children live nearby and help support them and visit often. Ol loves spending time with family, chatting with her friends in the village, and watching Cambodian soap operas. This past September, Ol fell at home and fractured her right arm. She sought treatment from a traditional healer in the village, but the fracture has not healed. She is in pain and unable to carry out every day activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) can help. On December 7th, Ol will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will help her restore function in her arm. Ol and her family are able helping to contribute towards the cost of the surgery, but need help raising $483 to fund her treatment. She shared, "I want to get better so I will be able to do my housework and cooking."

Randell is a 20-year-old hardworking student from the Philippines. He is currently in his third year of college studying to earn a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering. He lives with his sister, who supports his studies financially. Randell was a very athletic student, participating in various school activities and sports until he first started experiencing health issues. Five years ago, Randell was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia, which causes him extreme pain in a sensitive area that intensifies with movement. Because of this pain, Randell cannot participate in the school activities and sports events he used to participate in. On December 9th, Randell will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of Randell's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP needs help raising the remaining $1,103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Randell said, "This will help our financial situation. This is a significant help to us. I hope you can help more people and I am very grateful for being one of your beneficiaries. When I graduate and when I already have the means, I promise to help others and pay it forward."

Sokly lives in Battambang province with her husband, younger sister, and her two sons. Her husband works in a tire repair shop and Sokly is a teacher in a primary school. The two sons work in a local shop to help support the family. In her free time, Sokly likes trying new recipes and shopping with her sister in the local market. Sokly has been experiencing tinnitus and discomfort in her left ear for several weeks. Tinnitus is a noise or ringing in the ears, even though no external sound is present. She has been taking sick days and is having difficulty teaching due to this condition. Sokly traveled around five and a half hours from Battambang province with her younger sister to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, seeking treatment. During her examination, doctors found a small growth in her left ear. On April 1st, Sokly is scheduled for surgery to remove the growth and some of the bone in her ear canal to widen the channel from the outside of the ear to the eardrum. Sokly can contribute $100 for her surgery but needs an additional $726 to fund the cost of this procedure. Sokly said, "I hope I don't have to worry about this anymore and I can continue my work as a teacher."

Elisabeth's Timeline

Share Elisabeth's story

Funded by 9 donors

Treatment

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.