Saroeun is a 67-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has one son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is a rice farmer, and her youngest daughter, who is a teacher. Saroeun likes to watch the news on TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. About four years ago, Saroeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Saroeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On October 19th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Saroeun shared, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see more easily so I can go back to planting. I don’t want to worry about my eye anymore."

Kuon is a 68-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. She lives in Battambang with her elderly husband and grandchildren. She has three children: her oldest child works as a car repairer, her second child works for a private company, and her youngest child is a taxi driver. She spends much of her time caring for her grandchildren. She also enjoys visiting the pagoda. Kuon developed a non-healing ulcer on her right cheek after suffering a burn while cooking. The wound remained open for about one year and was later diagnosed as invasive basal cell carcinoma. The ulcer has not healed and has a small area of dead tissue along its edge. Although it is not painful when touched, having a persistent lesion on her cheek affects her comfort and confidence in daily life. When Kuon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a removal of the basal cell carcinoma from her right cheek, followed by reconstruction with a rhomboid flap to remove the cancerous lesion and reconstruct the affected area, helping the wound heal and restoring the appearance and function of her cheek. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $616 more to fund her procedure and care. Kuon said, “I hope the surgery will remove the ulcer on my cheek and help the area heal properly. I am looking forward to recovering and returning to my usual daily activities with more confidence.”

Elsa is a 77-year old woman from the Philippines. She enjoys spending time with her neighbors, whose companionship provides her with emotional support and a sense of community. She also takes light walks around her neighborhood to stay active and maintain her health despite her condition. However, her condition has increased the financial burden on her family, who now shoulder her medical expenses. Three months ago, Elsa began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain. Elsa was diagnosed with gallstones and 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), Elsa is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on July 18th. A portion of the procedure's cost is being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Elsa's surgery and care. Elsa shared, "I am truly grateful for the opportunity to receive free treatment. I look forward to recovering so I can enjoy more time with my family and continue living a healthy and active life."