Erwin is a father of five. Five years ago, Erwin had a stroke that paralyzed a part of his body, causing him to be physically disabled. Because of his condition, he is not able to work. Moreover, Erwin began to feel a lump in his throat three years ago. He also had difficulty when breathing and swallowing. When the doctors examined Erwin, they diagnosed him with Follicular Nodular Disease found in his thyroid. Erwin needs to get surgery immediately to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Erwin to receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 9th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. The Surgeons will remove all or part of his thyroid gland. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is supporting a portion of the cost of his treatment, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Erwin's procedure and care. Erwin's family said, "We are grateful to have come across people and organizations who are willing to help us without asking for anything in return. Thank you very much for giving us hope."

Alismendy is an adorable five-year-old preschooler from Haiti. He loves to play with toy cars and paint. Alismendy lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. His father works and his mother is the primary caregiver for the family. Alismendy has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, where a hole exists between two large blood vessels near his heart. This causes blood to leak through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. The surgery that Alismendy needs is not available within Haiti, so he will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 4th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device attached to the tip of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life New York, is contributing $5,000 to support his surgery. Alismendy's family also needs help to fund the costs to prepare him for surgery and provide follow-up care. The $1,500 bill covers laboratory tests, medicines, check-ups, and follow-up visits. It also supports obtaining a passport for him and the social workers from our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Alismendy's family overseas. Alismendy's mother says, "Our family has been hoping for this surgery ever since our son was diagnosed three years ago. We are so glad that the time has finally arrived."

Hein is a four-year-old boy living in Burma with his parents and sister. His mother is a homemaker while his father works as a second-hand motorbike broker to provide for their family. The family faces financial struggles and Hein's grandparents often step in to offer financial assistance during times of need. Hein's sister is a student, while he stays at home with his mother. When Hein was two years old, his mother noticed that he had a small lump on his right eyelid. He rubbed his eyes frequently, experienced discomfort and sometimes woke up with his eye swollen. His mother took him to a nearby hospital in 2022 and he was given some eye drops and an antibiotic. The doctor further suggested that Hein’s mother take him to an ophthalmology hospital, which specializes in eye care, for further investigation. However, due to security concerns stemming from the civil war and the high costs associated with the journey, Hein's mother was unable to make the trip. As time passed, Hein's condition deteriorated, with increased swelling and itchiness. Presently, his right eye is painful, showing signs of redness and swelling. Hein's mother brought him to our medical partner's care center for treatment. On March 25th, Hein is scheduled for a cyst excision procedure that will provide him relief and improve his vision and eye movement. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the procedure. Hein’s mother said, "I have been trying my best to seek treatment for him, and even though I cannot afford it, I hoped to find a way for him to get treated. I want him to grow up like other children and enjoy his life. As a mother, I always want the best for him, and I want to support his future ambitions. I am so happy to learn that my son's medical treatment will be supported by donors. I am happy and relieved, and I hope that Hein's condition will be cured."