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Success! Ponleu from Cambodia raised $446 to fund an amputation to prevent the spread of cancer.

Ponleu
100%
  • $446 raised, $0 to go
$446
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Ponleu's treatment was fully funded on August 31, 2017.

Photo of Ponleu post-operation

July 7, 2017

Ponleu underwent an amputation to prevent the spread of cancer.

Ponleu’s treatment for his left leg went well. Following the procedure, he was given pain medication to take as needed and he had one week of physiotherapy at CSC before being discharged. Ponleu feels more comfortable than before and he does not experience any pain.

Ponleu’s father says, “I am happy that my son doesn’t feel any pain and that he feels better too. Thanks to the staff at CSC and all the donors for helping my son.”

Ponleu's treatment for his left leg went well. Following the procedure, he was given pain medication to take as needed and he had one week o...

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May 9, 2017

Ponleu is an 18-year-old taxi driver who lives in Cambodia. He has three sisters and three brothers. In his free time, he likes to watch action movies on TV, listen to music, and drink coffee.

Two years ago, Ponleu was involved in a car accident in which his left thigh was lacerated. He went to a provincial hospital for treatment, and he recovered and walked normally again after one year.

On March 4, Ponleu fractured his left leg. He went to a private clinic, where surgeons performed an ORIF—open reduction and internal fixation—procedure and attached hardware to heal the fracture. On April 3, his parents took him to Vietnam to remove the hardware and perform an external fixation procedure. Pathology results from that procedure showed that he has osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that starts in the bones.

Ponleu knew about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), because his uncle had eye surgery there before. Ponleu returned from Vietnam on May 4 and traveled for eight hours with his father to reach Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre (CSC’s care center) for evaluation and treatment by doctors.

Ponleu’s left knee is painful and swollen, and it is difficult for him to walk. On May 9, surgeons at CSC will perform an above-the-knee amputation to keep the cancer from spreading and to relieve Ponleu’s pain. CSC requests $446 to pay for the operation, four nights in the hospital, food, and post-operative care.

Let’s help fund surgery for Ponleu!

Ponleu is an 18-year-old taxi driver who lives in Cambodia. He has three sisters and three brothers. In his free time, he likes to watch act...

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Ponleu's Timeline

  • May 9, 2017
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Ponleu was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre.

  • May 9, 2017
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Ponleu received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. 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.

  • May 15, 2017
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Ponleu's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • July 7, 2017
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Ponleu's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • August 31, 2017
    FULLY FUNDED

    Ponleu's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 4 donors

Funded by 4 donors

Treatment
Amputation
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $446 for Ponleu's treatment
Hospital Fees
$94
Medical Staff
$344
Medication
$0
Supplies
$8
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Often, patients in need of an amputation have inadequate blood circulation in an area of the body, causing affected tissues to die and allowing infection to develop. Other causes include severe injury, severe burn, serious infection that does not improve with other treatments, or thickening of nerve tissue.

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

Without treatment, patients are in pain and have difficulty using the affected area of the body. It may be difficult to conduct daily activities, work, or attend school.

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

Severe injuries caused by traffic accidents or burns are common in Cambodia. Due to the limited availability of free treatment in Cambodia, injuries are ineffectively treated by Khmer traditional healers or not treated at all, causing symptoms to worsen over time.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Amputation is the surgical removal of all or part of a limb or extremity. Surgeons remove all damaged tissue, leaving as much healthy tissue as possible. They smooth uneven areas of bone, seal blood vessels and nerves, and cut and shape muscles at the end of the limb.

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

Amputation improves quality of life for patients. It relieves major pain and prevents infection from spreading.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Amputation is a low-risk, effective surgery. However, complications may include blood clots and slow wound healing.

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

Access to affordable or free surgery is limited in Cambodia. Patients travel for as long as twelve hours to reach Children's Surgical Centre for free surgery. They arrive by bus, motorbike, or taxi with a family member.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Procedures that open blocked arteries may help restore blood flow. However, in the majority of cases, amputation is the only effective solution for healing.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Chit Htun

Chit Htun is a 21-year-old man from Burma who lives with his mother, two sisters and a brother. His mother is a homemaker, while Chit Htun and his siblings are students. They are supported financially by two aunties and Chit Htun's former teacher. Chit Htun was born with spina bifida as well as hydrocephalus. When Chit Htun was just over a month old, he had a shunt inserted in his brain to control hydrocephalus. In October 202, Chit Htun fell down the stairs in his home and hit his head during the fall. Since that time, he has been experiencing headaches and dizziness with occasional loss of consciousness. Chit Htun's mother brought him to a hospital in Yangon, where he received a CT scans showing that the original shunt was in place. A second shunt was inserted to help with the loss of consciousness, but the headaches and dizziness continued to be a problem. In October 2022, Chit Htun had a seizure, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Chit Htun's mother brought him to Mae Sot Hospital, where he received a CT scan on November 28th, 2022 with the help of Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). The doctor diagnosed Chit Htun with severe chronic hydrocephalus and suspected shunt malfunction. BCMF is now fundraising $1,500 to help cover the cost of surgery to replace Chit Htun's current shunt. Chit Htun's mother shared, "My son and I have been in Mae Sot for the past two months and we are homesick already. I hope that he will receive surgery soon and recover from his symptoms."

53% funded

53%funded
$808raised
$692to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.