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Success! Khum from Cambodia raised $398 to fund cataract surgery.

Khum
100%
  • $398 raised, $0 to go
$398
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Khum's treatment was fully funded on May 29, 2019.

Photo of Khum post-operation

March 5, 2019

Khum underwent cataract surgery.

Khum has returned home after a successful operation. As per her doctor’s instructions, she had one eye done, and will need to return in a few weeks to have surgery on the other eye. Surgery will allow her to work and go about her daily life with improved vision. Her doctor looks forward to seeing her again in a couple weeks.

She says, “I feel very happy that I am able to see clearly again. I am able to walk by myself, go back to work, help my family around the house, and help my daughter bake Khmer cakes to sell as her business.”

Khum has returned home after a successful operation. As per her doctor's instructions, she had one eye done, and will need to return in a fe...

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March 3, 2019

Khum is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has six grandchildren and enjoys listening to the news on the radio.

Three months ago, Khum developed a cataract in each eye, causing her irritation and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.

When Khum learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 4, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure.

She says, “I hope I can see better after my surgery so I can help my sister bake cakes for her business.”

Khum is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has six grandchildren and enjoys listening to the news on the radio. Three months ag...

Read more

Khum's Timeline

  • March 3, 2019
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

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

  • March 4, 2019
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Khum 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.

  • March 4, 2019
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Khum's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • March 5, 2019
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Khum's treatment was successful. Read the update.

  • May 29, 2019
    FULLY FUNDED

    Khum's treatment was fully funded.

Funded by 23 donors

Funded by 23 donors

Treatment
Cataract - Two Eyes
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $398 for Khum's treatment
Hospital Fees
$88
Medical Staff
$230
Medication
$0
Supplies
$80
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

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

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

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

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

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

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

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

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Ly Hor

Ly Hor is a 13-year-old curious student. He comes from Tboung Khmum province in the central lowlands of the Mekong river. He has two sisters - his older sister is 19 and is a factory worker, and his younger sister is six and studies in grade one. His parents are farmers and grow rainy-day rice and vegetables. Ly Hor attends grade 7 in public school. His favorite subjects are math and physical education. In the future, he would like to be a doctor. At home, he enjoys playing football, reading books, doing homework with friends, and helping his family with the vegetable gardens. He loves it when his mom makes fried rice or fried noodles, which he enjoys eating with fresh milk. In October, Ly Hor injured his right elbow when playing football by stretching out his hand to break a fall. His mother took him to a Khmer traditional healer because she could not afford the care at a government hospital. He has chronic pain, and his elbow has become swollen and deformed. He is unable to use his hand due to swelling and pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 7th, Ly Hor will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will repair the fracture, and Ly Hor will be able to use his arm again. Ly Hor's mother said: "He is very sad now because he cannot do anything with his friends. I hope the doctors can fix his arm so he won't be in pain, and he can be active again with his friends in school."

31% funded

31%funded
$150raised
$333to go
Marivel

Marivel is a hardworking and loving daughter from the Philippines. She is a 2nd-year college student. While studying, she tried to look for jobs to support her family. Unfortunately, to date she has been unable to pass the medical (health) requirements. The only breadwinner in the family is her father who works as a pedicab driver. Her father's income is often not enough to bring food to the table. In 2018, Marivel began to experience troubling symptoms, including a mass on her neck that is growing in size, and episodes of difficulty breathing. Due to the inadequate family resources, she did not seek treatment. By the time she finally had a chance to be checked by a doctor, her condition had worsened. She was diagnosed with Nodular Non-Toxic Goiter, a thyroid gland enlargement with no disturbance in the thyroid function. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Marivel receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 10th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $890 to cover the cost of Marivel's procedure and care. Marivel shared, "I'd like to thank Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines. You're not just giving me surgery, but also a chance to support my family. After my treatment, I'd be able to find a decent job and provide for our needs."

49% funded

49%funded
$439raised
$451to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Ly Hor

Ly Hor is a 13-year-old curious student. He comes from Tboung Khmum province in the central lowlands of the Mekong river. He has two sisters - his older sister is 19 and is a factory worker, and his younger sister is six and studies in grade one. His parents are farmers and grow rainy-day rice and vegetables. Ly Hor attends grade 7 in public school. His favorite subjects are math and physical education. In the future, he would like to be a doctor. At home, he enjoys playing football, reading books, doing homework with friends, and helping his family with the vegetable gardens. He loves it when his mom makes fried rice or fried noodles, which he enjoys eating with fresh milk. In October, Ly Hor injured his right elbow when playing football by stretching out his hand to break a fall. His mother took him to a Khmer traditional healer because she could not afford the care at a government hospital. He has chronic pain, and his elbow has become swollen and deformed. He is unable to use his hand due to swelling and pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 7th, Ly Hor will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will repair the fracture, and Ly Hor will be able to use his arm again. Ly Hor's mother said: "He is very sad now because he cannot do anything with his friends. I hope the doctors can fix his arm so he won't be in pain, and he can be active again with his friends in school."

31% funded

31%funded
$150raised
$333to go