Watsi

Success! Byron from Kenya raised $542 to fund orchidopexy treatment.

100%

$542 raised, $0 to go

$542

raised

to go

Fully funded

Byron's treatment was fully funded on September 7, 2020.

Byron's story
Byron's update

Photo of Byron post-operation

June 17, 2020

Byron underwent orchidopexy treatment.

Byron’s surgery was successful! His doctors were able to treat his orchidopexy, a condition characterized by undescended testes. The surgery has greatly minimized his risk of developing infertility, testicular cancer and/or an inguinal hernia in the future. Byron’s mother, his sole caretaker, feels very grateful that her son underwent this corrective surgery. He will now be able to grow up happy and healthy.

“I am so happy to get help towards my son’s surgical care,” said Byron’s mother.

Byron's surgery was successful! His doctors were able to treat his orchidopexy, a condition characterized by undescended testes. The surgery...

February 29, 2020

Byron is a 10-month-old baby from Kenya. Byron’s mother is a part-time a teacher with a monthly income of $150. His father left them long before Byron was born.

Byron was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Byron has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.

Byron will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 9th. AMHF is requesting $542 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.

“Please help my son get treated,” says Byron’s mother.

Byron is a 10-month-old baby from Kenya. Byron’s mother is a part-time a teacher with a monthly income of $150. His father left them long be...

Submitted by

Learn more

Byron's case was submitted by Joan Kadagaya at African Mission Healthcare.

Byron's Timeline

February 29, 2020
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Byron was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.
March 2, 2020
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Byron's profile was published to start raising funds.
April 9, 2020
TREATMENT OCCURRED
Byron received treatment at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) in Kenya. 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.
June 17, 2020
TREATMENT UPDATE
Byron's treatment was successful. Read the update.
September 7, 2020
FULLY FUNDED
Byron's treatment was fully funded.

Share Byron's story

Funded by 12 donors

Treatment

Orchidopexy (Double)

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $542 for Byron's treatment

Hospital Fees

$536

Medical Staff

Medication

Supplies

Labs

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Normally, before a baby boy is born, the testicles move into the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles). Sometimes, one or both testicles stay in the body cavity instead of moving into the scrotum. This is called undescended testicles or cryptorchidism. An orchidopexy is an operation to lower the testicles into the scrotum. A patient may need to have this operation on one or both testicles.

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

Ideally, the surgery should be performed before a child reaches two years old. Left untreated, this condition can lead to infertility. The higher temperature inside the body can affect sperm production. Men with both testicles affected are more likely to experience fertility-related issues than men with only one affected testicle. This condition can also cause inguinal hernia, in which the intestine protrudes through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Only surgery can correct this condition, which can otherwise result in intestinal damage or death. Finally, this condition is a risk factor for testicular cancer. If surgery is performed early, this risk is limited.

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

Undescended testis is the most common birth anomaly in boys. This condition is present in about 1-4.5% of newborns, with a higher incidence in premature babies (30-45%). Unilateral undescended testis is four times more likely than bilateral.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

After surgery, the patient will stay in the hospital for an average of three days. The patient is continually monitored.

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

Treatment will reduce the risk of infertility, inguinal hernia, and testicular cancer.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is very treatable, and the procedure is low-risk.

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

There are few quality care centers in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

An alternative to surgery is to use synthetic hormones that encourage the testicle to move into the scrotum. Hormone therapy is only recommended if the child’s testicle(s) are close to the scrotum. However, hormone therapy is not commonly available in Kenya. According to the guidelines published by the American Urological Association in May 2014, orchidopexy is the most successful therapy to relocate the testis into the scrotum. Hormone therapy is not recommended.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Phalla is a 29-year-old construction worker, who is married and has two daughters. His nine-year-old daughter is in 3rd grade and his six-year-old daughter just started school. Phalla's wife works as a farmer. On April 29th, 2021, Phalla was in a motorcycle accident that injured and dislocated his right elbow. He is in pain and unable to move or use his right arm. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help him. On June 2nd, Phalla will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will restore mobility to his arm so that he can use it normally again. Phalla shared, "I'm hoping I can use my arm better so I can return to work as soon as possible."

55% funded

55%funded

$259raised

$206to go

Tibinsasa is a 45-year-old small scale farmer and a married mother of seven children. Her oldest is now 21 years old and her youngest child is three. Her husband is a bricklayer in the village and together with the income from her farming, they earn enough to meet their family's basic needs. Tibinsasa and her family live in a three-room semi-permanent house. For three months, Tibinsasa has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, severe headaches and dizziness. She has been diagnosed with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and visited our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. The surgery will prevent the condition from further impacting her daily life and ensure that Tibinsasa is pain-free. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $228 to fund Tibinsasa's surgery. On June 3rd, she will undergo gynecological surgery at AMH's care center. Once recovered, Tibinsasa will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Tibinsasa shared, “I am in poor health condition and I need medical assistance. I hope I will be able to resume farming as soon as possible.”

8% funded

8%funded

$20raised

$208to go

Senghong is an 18-year-old driver who lives in a province outside of the capital city of Cambodia with his older sister and parents. Senghong's mother is a factory worker, his father is a rice farmer, and his sister is studying at university. Two years ago, Senghong stopped school after 10th grade and has been working as a driver for a construction company. In his free time he enjoys playing football, volleyball, meeting up with friends, and listening to music. In December 2020, Senghong was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a mal-union fracture of his right wrist. It is difficult for him to use this hand now and he is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 15th, Senghong will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will allow him to use his hand and start working again. Senghong said, "I am thankful for your help and I hope I can return to work soon once I am healed."

64% funded

64%funded

$300raised

$165to go