Ly Chheng is a 77-year-old man from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his wife and their third child, who works as a tailor. He has six children in total, all of whom are married and have their own jobs. He is no longer working, and in his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home. Ly Chheng has severe cervical spinal stenosis, a condition in which narrowing of the spinal canal puts pressure on the spinal cord. He has experienced intermittent numbness and weakness in his hands and extremities for approximately four to five years, with his symptoms becoming progressively worse since early 2026. He now experiences numbness and weakness in both hands, hand clumsiness, difficulty walking steadily, and frequent urges to urinate. He also has neck stiffness and pain that can extend toward his shoulders. These symptoms have made it increasingly difficult for him to move around safely and manage his daily activities independently. Ly Chheng's family was referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), to seek specialized care. On August 17th, surgeons at CSC plan to perform cervical spine decompression to relieve pressure on his spinal cord and help prevent further deterioration. The surgery costs $1,500, and his family can contribute $50, but they need help covering the remaining $1,450. After surgery, he hopes to have less numbness and weakness, walk more steadily, and become more independent in his daily activities. Ly Chheng said, “I hope the treatment will relieve the pressure on my spinal cord, improve the numbness and weakness in my hands, and help me walk more steadily. I want to be more independent and able to manage my daily activities more comfortably.”

Elsa is a 77-year old woman from the Philippines. She enjoys spending time with her neighbors, whose companionship provides her with emotional support and a sense of community. She also takes light walks around her neighborhood to stay active and maintain her health despite her condition. However, her condition has increased the financial burden on her family, who now shoulder her medical expenses. Three months ago, Elsa began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain. Elsa was diagnosed with gallstones and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Elsa is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on July 18th. A portion of the procedure's cost is being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Elsa's surgery and care. Elsa shared, "I am truly grateful for the opportunity to receive free treatment. I look forward to recovering so I can enjoy more time with my family and continue living a healthy and active life."

Korotoumou is a 29-year-old mother from Mali. She has a young son and is expecting her second child soon. In her free time, Korotoumou enjoys taking care of her home. Korotoumou's doctors recommended that she deliver by a cesarean section to prevent birthing complications. This way, her doctors can ensure the safety of both Korotoumou and her child. Our medical partner, Muso, is helping Korotoumou undergo a cesarean section on July 14th. Muso is requesting $259 to fund her procedure. Korotoumou expressed her hopes that this surgery will ensure she is able to have a healthy baby.