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Success! Joseph from Kenya raised $506 to fund testicular surgery.

Joseph
100%
  • $506 raised, $0 to go
$506
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Joseph's treatment was fully funded on December 30, 2020.

Photo of Joseph post-operation

July 10, 2020

Joseph underwent testicular surgery.

Joseph’s surgeons originally planned for a left orchidopexy treatment but during surgery, the surgeon noticed both testes were undescended and so performed a bilateral orchidopexy. Joseph has recovered very well and since he is a brave boy he was walking by the time he was discharged from the hospital. Once schools re-open, as they are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Joseph can go back to his classes with confidence.

“I am happy that my son’s surgery was a success. Now, he will grow up just like other boys. I don’t know what I would have done without your support. God bless everyone who assisted me,” shared Joseph’s mother.

Joseph's surgeons originally planned for a left orchidopexy treatment but during surgery, the surgeon noticed both testes were undescended a...

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June 10, 2020

Joseph is a brave 8-year-old boy from Karanjee Village in Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of 3 children and he is in seventh grade. He and his siblings live with their mother who is a casual laborer working in neighbor’s farms to earn an income for their family.

Joseph was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Joseph has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.

Joseph will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 11th. AMH is requesting $506 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.

“My boy is now getting big and I would not like to risk his future with infertility. Kindly support us as I am the breadwinner with no one to turn to. I hope my son will have successful corrective treatment so that he can be like other boys,” said Josephs’ mother.

Joseph is a brave 8-year-old boy from Karanjee Village in Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of 3 children and he is in seventh grade. He...

Read more

Joseph's Timeline

  • June 10, 2020
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Joseph was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • June 12, 2020
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Joseph's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • June 18, 2020
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Joseph received treatment at Nazareth Hospital in Kenya. 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.

  • July 10, 2020
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Joseph's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • December 30, 2020
    FULLY FUNDED

    Joseph's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 12 donors

Funded by 12 donors

Treatment
Nazareth - Orchidopexy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $506 for Joseph's treatment
Hospital Fees
$411
Medical Staff
$0
Medication
$9
Supplies
$56
Labs
$30
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Normally, before a baby boy is born, the testicles move into the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles). Sometimes, one or both testicles stay in the body cavity instead of moving into the scrotum. This is called undescended testicles or cryptorchidism. An orchidopexy is an operation to lower the testicles into the scrotum. A patient may need to have this operation on one or both testicles.

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

Ideally, the surgery should be performed before a child reaches two years old. Left untreated, this condition can lead to infertility. The higher temperature inside the body can affect sperm production. Men with both testicles affected are more likely to experience fertility-related issues than men with only one affected testicle. This condition can also cause inguinal hernia, in which the intestine protrudes through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Only surgery can correct this condition, which can otherwise result in intestinal damage or death. Finally, this condition is a risk factor for testicular cancer. If surgery is performed early, this risk is limited.

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

Undescended testis is the most common birth anomaly in boys. This condition is present in about 1-4.5% of newborns, with a higher incidence in premature babies (30-45%). Unilateral undescended testis is four times more likely than bilateral.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

After surgery, the patient will stay in the hospital for an average of three days. The patient is continually monitored.

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

Treatment will reduce the risk of infertility, inguinal hernia, and testicular cancer.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is very treatable, and the procedure is low-risk.

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

There are few quality care centers in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

An alternative to surgery is to use synthetic hormones that encourage the testicle to move into the scrotum. Hormone therapy is only recommended if the child’s testicle(s) are close to the scrotum. However, hormone therapy is not commonly available in Kenya. According to the guidelines published by the American Urological Association in May 2014, orchidopexy is the most successful therapy to relocate the testis into the scrotum. Hormone therapy is not recommended.

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.