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Success! Alourde from Haiti raised $1,085 to fund a mastectomy operation.

Alourde
100%
  • $1,085 raised, $0 to go
$1,085
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Alourde's treatment was fully funded on September 1, 2017.

Photo of Alourde post-operation

March 29, 2017

Alourde underwent a mastectomy operation.

Alourde had a successful surgery. She feels happy and extremely relieved to have gotten this operation. She will be able to work again.

“I’m looking forward to finding the fun in life again. I will be able to see my kids grow and help them as much as I can,” she says.

Alourde had a successful surgery. She feels happy and extremely relieved to have gotten this operation. She will be able to work again. “...

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March 18, 2017

Alourde is a 45-year-old married woman who lives in the southern province of Haiti. She is the mother of a 22-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. She grew up in a large family with nine siblings.

Alourde used to work as a street merchant, selling candy and sweet treats in front of schools. Due to family difficulties, Alourde didn’t have the opportunity to attend school growing up. Now, she is a stay-at-home mother. She likes watching television with her family.

A few years ago, Alourde felt a painful lump in her left breast. Once she gathered the funds, she went to the hospital, had a biopsy, and was diagnosed with cancer.

In October of 2016, with the help of our medical partner, Innovating Health International, Alourde started chemotherapy. On March 18, as part of her continuing treatment, Alourde will get a mastectomy. This operation will remove her breast tissue and should improve her overall health. Our medical partner is asking for $1,085 to cover the procedure. Your donation will help pay for surgeons, anesthesiologists, laboratory tests, medication, and two nights of hospital stay.

After her operation, Alourde hopes to relax and see her kids grow. Speaking about her condition, she shares, “Don’t be discouraged. It’s not your fault, we are all only human.”

Alourde is a 45-year-old married woman who lives in the southern province of Haiti. She is the mother of a 22-year-old son and a 12-year-old...

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Alourde's Timeline

  • March 18, 2017
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Alourde was submitted by Gaelle Mondestin at Innovating Health International.

  • March 18, 2017
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Alourde received treatment at St. Luc Family Hospital in Haiti. 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 21, 2017
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Alourde's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 29, 2017
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Alourde's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • September 1, 2017
    FULLY FUNDED

    Alourde's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 11 donors

Funded by 11 donors

Treatment
Mastectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $1,085 for Alourde's treatment
Hospital Fees
$815
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$95
Supplies
$110
Travel
$10
Labs
$40
Radiology
$15
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients present with lumps in the breast, dimpling of the skin, swelling in the armpit, or discharge from the nipple.

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

Breast cancer is a fatal disease. In Haiti, a mastectomy is the only option for treatment.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

Because cancer care is a relatively recent option in Haiti, cancer is seen as a death sentence. Haitians are very hesitant to remove a part of their body for fear of social stigma. To minimize this fear, our medical partner offers breast reconstruction. Patients also receive counseling before and after surgery.

  • Process
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Risks and side-effects
  • Accessibility
  • Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Patients receive chemotherapy for several months either before or after surgery. The surgery lasts two hours and recovery lasts two weeks.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

This treatment saves lives.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Patients might develop infections because many do not have access to clean water. To combat this possibility, patients are given bottles of wound cleanser. A few patients might develop permanent arm swelling. In some cases, cancer can recur.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

In the entire country, there are only three options for cancer care. Through private doctors, a mastectomy can cost several thousand dollars. Many women move from doctor to doctor and exhaust all their savings.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Without treatment, patients will likely pass away.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.