Meet Macda, a 35-year-old mother of two from Haiti. She lives in Port-au-Prince with her partner and their two children. She and her partner are both vendors. Macda has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. As a result of an infection that she suffered earlier in her life, one of the four valves of her heart does not function properly. This valve cannot adequately pump blood through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. Macda will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On August 27th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital, during which surgeons will either repair or replace her damaged valve, allowing it to function more normally. The hospital is contributing $25,000.00 to pay for the surgery. However, Macda's family also needs help to fund the cost of pre-surgical labs, medicines, and checkups, as well as follow-up appointments. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, will also need resources to secure travel documents and support for social workers who will accompany Macda's family on their trip to the U.S. They are requesting $1,500 to fund these costs. Macda said: "I have been praying for years to be able to have this surgery, and I am very thankful to everyone who is helping me to get it!"

Yim is a 48-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three children and lives with her husband and her 84-year-old grandmother in Kampong Thom Province. Her husband also works as a rice farmer, and their children are all studying in Phnom Penh while living with a relative. At home, Yim enjoys listening to music and spends most of her time caring for her elderly grandmother. Yim discovered a lump in each of her breasts about 20 years ago but never sought treatment. Preventative care is rarely available and often not affordable to Cambodians in rural areas. Yim experiences pain when touching the masses and uses pain relief medication, but she is worried that the masses could be more serious if not removed. Yim traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 23rd, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the masses. Now, Yim needs help to raise $243 to fund this procedure. Yim said: "My hope is that the lumps are not cancer and won't return after surgery so I can stop worrying."

Hak is a 71-year-old retired rice farmer. He and his wife have two sons, one daughter, and nine grandchildren. At home, Hak enjoys listening to the news on the radio and growing vegetables in the garden. About eight years ago, Hak developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him itchiness, watery eyes, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Hak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Hak needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Hak's family is able to contribute $50 but needs help to raise $175 more to fund his medical costs. His surgery is scheduled on September 9th. Hak shared, "I want to feel happy and be able to recognize people and walk to the pagoda without feeling uncomfortable."