Savy is a 68-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and lives with her husband. They have two children: one works as a primary school teacher, and the other is a nurse. In her free time, she enjoys growing vegetables around her home and visiting the pagoda. In 1981, Savy suffered a gasoline burn on her right forearm. Although the wound healed after receiving dressing care, it left extensive scarring. Around 2004, she underwent surgery and skin grafting at Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) for a smaller lesion in the same area. About seven months ago, a new wound appeared on her right forearm and gradually grew larger. A biopsy on September 29, 2026, confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. The wound causes pain and makes it difficult for her to use her right hand comfortably for everyday activities. Savy traveled for eight hours so she could receive treatment. On October 27th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to remove the cancerous tissue and help the wound heal. It may also help reduce her discomfort and allow her to use her right hand more comfortably for daily activities, such as tending to her vegetables and caring for herself. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $483 more to fund her procedure and care. Savy said, “I hope the treatment will help my wound heal and reduce the pain in my arm. It has been difficult to use my hand for everyday tasks, and I wish to do more things on my own again. I hope I can feel more comfortable and return to my daily life with less difficulty.”

Alejandro is a 55-year-old farmer from the Philippines. He is a father of four who supports his family through farm work, which he considers both his livelihood and a meaningful way to stay active. Only one of his children currently has regular employment and helps provide for the household, while his youngest children help him care for their livestock at home. For a year, Alejandro has dealt with an inguinal hernia. His health condition causes him pain and has made it difficult for him to continue working. It has also made it hard for him to eat comfortably, leading to weight loss and reduced strength. He hopes that surgery will help him recover, regain his strength, and return to the farm and the activities he enjoys. On September 26th, Alejandro will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Once completed, this procedure will enable him to live more comfortably and confidently. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are covering part of the cost of Alejandro's treatment, but he needs help raising $520 to fund his procedure and care. Alejandro said, "I am hopeful that, after the surgery, I will be able to eat properly and regain my strength. I look forward to feeling better and returning to the farm so I can continue helping my family."

Seven-year-old Debi is a student living in Ethiopia, with his parents and younger sister. Debi's childhood should be full of play and learning, but it has unfortunately been shaped by illness instead. For more than four years, Debi has lived with epilepsy, for which he takes medicine on a daily basis to control his seizures. Over the past year, a second problem has made life even more difficult. His tonsils repeatedly became badly infected, and at one point, his condition grew so severe, that he had to leave his KG 2 class. His education has been on hold ever since. His swollen tonsils keep him in constant discomfort. He has high fevers that return again and again, and he struggles to swallow his food, snores heavily, and is unable to sleep through the night. When the infection flares up, his parents have to rush him to the hospital, and he often stays there for days. The family is also under great strain for other reasons. Last year, Debi's father, a civil servant, was badly hurt in a car accident, and has only recently returned to work after a prolonged absence. His mother finished her studies last year, but has not been able to find a job. For Debi's parents, the cost of caring for him is overwhelming. Each flare-up brings another emergency trip to the hospital, and his seizure medicine is a cost they must meet every month. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Debi, which is scheduled to take place on October 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Debi of his symptoms, and helping him to live more comfortably. "We wish to see him strong again, sleeping through the night, and back at school with his friends. That would bring our family so much relief," said Debi's parents.