Kanika is a thirteen-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives with her mother and younger brother in Pursat Province, near the border with Thailand. Kanika's mother sells groceries at home, and her father works at a factory in Korea to support the family. Kanika is currently in seventh grade and enjoys her geography class. She has shared that she wants to work in Korea like her father when she is older. At home, Kanika's favorite meal is fried fish with rice, and she likes doing her homework and helping take care of her younger brother. Kanika has been diagnosed with both Marfan syndrome and scoliosis, which are complex conditions leading to pronounced spinal deformities. These conditions affect her physical appearance, making her fingers and toes long and slender and causing a sunken chest. Marfan syndrome also impacts her heart function. Her scoliosis results in severe double curves in the thoracic and lumbar regions. These conditions make her feel uncomfortable at school, and in social situations, impacting her daily life. Kanika and her mother were referred by a public hospital in Phnom Penh to our medical center, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for spine treatment. On September 4th, specialized spinal surgeons will perform a fusion surgery to stabilize and correct Kanika’s severe spinal curvature. The surgeons will use implants and bone grafts to join the vertebrae together. Kanika’s mother can only afford $100 toward her daughter’s care and needs your help to raise the remaining $1,400 for the surgery, hospitalization, implants, post-operative medication, and physiotherapy. This procedure will help relieve Kanika’s discomfort, improve posture, and prevent future complications. Kanika's mother shared, "I hope that my daughter will be able to live comfortably and continue her schooling."

Soe is a 14-year-old from Thailand. He lives with his father and two brothers. His older brother is unemployed and his younger brother is a student. Soe and his father are construction workers. In his free time, Soe likes to go to the mosque and pray. Less than two weeks ago, Soe was working at a construction site when he accidentally touched a live wire with his left hand. As a result of the electric shock, he fell from the third floor, breaking his left leg and right arm, and sustaining significant burn injuries to his chest and left hand. Soe has been experiencing pain, swelling, and inflammation in his left hand. His doctors have recommended an amputation of his left arm below his elbow, to prevent the symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Soe receive treatment. On August 8th, Soe will undergo surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, hopefully putting him on the path to recovery. Now, Soe's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. "I just want my son to recover", says Soe's father.

Hong is a 64-year-old mother and grandmother from Cambodia. She lives with her husband and their oldest daughter in Phnom Penh. They sell secondhand clothes in a local market. At home, Hong enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and listening to the monks on Buddhist radio. On May 12, 2024, Hong slipped on a wet surface and fractured her left hip bone. She is unable to walk and is in chronic pain. Hong's relatives referred her to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for help. On May 14th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a hemiarthroplasty surgery on her left hip. This will help Hong regain her mobility and to live without pain. Hong and her family are able to contribute $100 but need help raising $444 to fund the remaining costs for the procedure and post-op care, including in-patient stay and physiotherapy. Hong's husband said, "I hope after surgery my wife can walk easily, and she won't be in pain."