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Success! Brian from Kenya raised $646 to fund surgery for a birth condition.

Brian
100%
  • $646 raised, $0 to go
$646
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Brian's treatment was fully funded on March 24, 2023.
December 9, 2022

Brian is a sweet 6-year-old from Kenya. He is the second born in his family of four children. Brian’s parents separated last year, and he lives with his mother and grandmother for support. His mother practices farming. She shared that the family’s income is limited and they do not have the needed insurance coverage for Brian’s care.

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

Brian will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He is scheduled to undergo surgery on December 13th. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.

Brian’s mother says: “I want Brian to grow up as other boys. I want to play my part as a parent for him to have a good future.”

Brian is a sweet 6-year-old from Kenya. He is the second born in his family of four children. Brian's parents separated last year, and he li...

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Brian's Timeline

  • December 9, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Brian was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria, SAFE Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • December 9, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Brian's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • December 13, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Brian was scheduled to receive 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.

  • March 24, 2023
    FULLY FUNDED

    Brian's treatment was fully funded.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Brian's treatment update from African Mission Healthcare.

Funded by 4 donors

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment
Orchidopexy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $646 for Brian's treatment
Hospital Fees
$480
Medical Staff
$10
Medication
$30
Supplies
$90
Labs
$5
Other
$31
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

​What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

One of the testicles either appears to be missing or cannot be felt in the scrotum.

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

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. Data on this condition is scarce in Kenya, so the true prevalence of acquired undescended testicles is still unknown.

  • 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.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Saoly

Saoly is a 33-year-old former garment factory worker from Cambodia. He is from the Kampong Speu province, and married with two children. His wife makes and sells traditional Khmer cakes at the local market. His children are four and seven years of age. Since an accident, he has been home and likes to listen to the news, watch TV, and play with his children. In March 2020, he was in a motorcycle collision with a truck and fell on his left shoulder on the pavement. This caused paralysis of his left shoulder and arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. In August 2020, he had a surgical nerve graft, which allowed him to successfully bend his elbow, but he still cannot move his shoulder or his fingers. He cannot work, feels phantom pain in his arm, and is very depressed he cannot support his family and his wife has to work hard. Saoly traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On December 1st, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes that he will be able to move his shoulder, use his hand, and work again to support his family. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Saoly said: "I hope this surgery will help me to use my arm again. I would like to work in a factory again to support my family."

29% funded

29%funded
$207raised
$502to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Saoly

Saoly is a 33-year-old former garment factory worker from Cambodia. He is from the Kampong Speu province, and married with two children. His wife makes and sells traditional Khmer cakes at the local market. His children are four and seven years of age. Since an accident, he has been home and likes to listen to the news, watch TV, and play with his children. In March 2020, he was in a motorcycle collision with a truck and fell on his left shoulder on the pavement. This caused paralysis of his left shoulder and arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. In August 2020, he had a surgical nerve graft, which allowed him to successfully bend his elbow, but he still cannot move his shoulder or his fingers. He cannot work, feels phantom pain in his arm, and is very depressed he cannot support his family and his wife has to work hard. Saoly traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On December 1st, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes that he will be able to move his shoulder, use his hand, and work again to support his family. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Saoly said: "I hope this surgery will help me to use my arm again. I would like to work in a factory again to support my family."

29% funded

29%funded
$207raised
$502to go