Cherrylyn is a mother of three from the Philippines. Cherrylyn resides in Binan, Laguna. Her husband works as a helper and earns $16 per week, which is insufficient to meet their daily needs. Her children are all old enough to work now, however, their educational attainment makes it hard for them to find a permanent job. Cherrylyn enjoys doing laundry and engaging in water-related activities when she was stronger. Lately, she enjoys joining the free Zumba classes offered by the barangay. However, she eventually has had to stop because of her condition. Seven years ago, Cherrylyn began to experience troubling symptoms, including back, flank, and abdominal pain, which affected her daily activities. She typically takes various pain relievers to alleviate the pain. Sometimes, she endures the pain or her spouse will try to give her massages to ease her discomfort. Cherrylyn has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Cherrylyn is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on January 13th. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is supporting a portion of the cost of the procedure, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Cherrylyn's surgery and care. Cherrylyn says, "I am very grateful to everyone for your generosity. We will only be able to afford this operation with you. I trust that the Lord will return this blessing you gave me."

Khmao is a 61-year-old stay-at-home mother with four daughters. She lives in Kampot province with her husband, who drives a tuk-tuk, and three of her children. Her oldest daughter is married and lives nearby. Khmao likes to care for her vegetable garden around the house and make sweets for her family. Five years ago, Khmao had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Khmao experiences hearing loss, ear pain, and ear discharge. It is difficult for her to communicate with people. In the past year, she has completely lost hearing in her left ear. Khmao traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 2nd, she will undergo a mastoidectomy in her left ear, which is surgery to remove cells in the hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull behind the ear within the mastoid bone. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Khmao and her family are able to contribute $100 but need an additional $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Khmao said, "I hope I will be able to hear normally and communicate better with others."

Myint, a 62-year-old woman, resides in Thailand with her husband and six children: five daughters and one son. Only one of her daughters is employed, while the rest of her siblings are unemployed. Her employed daughter works as a domestic worker in Bangkok, and usually sends financial support of approximately $200 USD each month to support the entire family's needs. The financial support is barely enough for expenses like food and basic healthcare. Myint visited our medical partner's care center experiencing stomach aches, itchy skin, and a yellowing of her eyes and skin. Doctors advised her to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. The scan would hopefully help them diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Myint with her care, and is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Myint's CT scan, scheduled for April 1st. Myint said, "I have itchy skin, yellow eyes, I am unable to sleep well, I've lost my appetite and experience stomach aches. I cannot cook or carry firewood anymore. I am stressed because I am worried that I will not recover from my symptoms."