Noeun is a 54-year-old woman with one son and one grandson. She works as a rice farmer alongside her husband and son. At home, Noeun enjoys watching funny movies on TV.
Four years ago, Noeun developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing itchiness, tearing, and a burning sensation in her eye. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, the mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil.
When Noeun learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 1st, she will undergo surgery to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. CSC is requesting $216 to fund the total cost of her procedure, which includes medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days.
Noeun shared, “I hope after surgery my eye gets better. I want to go to the rice field to help my husband and support our family together.”