Rachana is a 27-year-old from Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are rice farmers in the Svay Rieng province. Originally, Rachana worked in a bank but has been unable to work since his injury. He has one brother and two sisters, all of whom still live nearby. In his free time, Rachana likes to go through social media apps on his phone. In January 2022, Rachana was in a motorcycle collision and lost consciousness for about ten minutes. He injured his left foot and was treated at a local hospital, where he lost his left big toe due to trauma. The traumatic injury from the fall also left him unable to move his left upper arm. He visited several hospitals and a Khmer traditional healer, but the immobility has not been able to be treated. Rachana also has bent toes on his left foot, which can be a symptom of a neurological disease, making it painful for him to walk or run. He has also been depressed since his injury because his limited mobility affects his daily activities. When Rachana learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 2nd, surgeons at CSC will perform an arthrodesis fusion of his left toes, allowing him to walk again after this procedure. His shoulder injury is too old for a nerve transfer, but he may be eligible for a free flap muscle transfer at a later time. CSC is requesting $600 to fund this procedure. Rachana contributed $100 to his care. Rachana said: “I hope, after this surgery, my toes will be normal, and it will not be painful to walk or run. I also hope doctors will be able to help me with my arm later.”

Peterson is a 24-year-old man from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger sister in a city on the southern coast of the island. When he feels well enough, he helps his family with their market stand. Peterson has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Peterson urgently needs surgery, but this is not available within Haiti. So Peterson will fly to United States to receive treatment. On March 2nd, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $15000 to pay for surgery. Peterson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Peterson overseas. "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to fix my heart," said Peterson.

Elithon is a curious and outgoing 5-year-old from Tanzania and a member of the Maasai community. He is the fourth child in his family of five. Our medical partner’s team shared that he loves to talk and was so excited to share about the amazing wild animals he saw on his way to their care center - his favorite being elephants! He also loves the cold weather in the mountains near his home. Elithon could not hide his excitement when he arrived at the care center for treatment. Elithon fell and tripped over a stove with a pot of boiling soup, causing him to burn his right arm. Burn scar contractures have started to develop and tighten the skin around his burn. Consequently, it is difficult for him to stretch and use his hand. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Elithon receive treatment. On February 27th, surgeons at AMH’s care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery that will help him use his hand again. AMH is requesting $832 to fund this procedure. Elithon’s mother says: “We are very excited to know that there is a place where our son can get treatment.”