Christie is a four-year-old girl from Haiti, who lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in preschool, and is learning to read. She loves dressing up and playing with her friends. Christie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Christie will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device on the end of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Christie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Christie's family overseas. Christie's mother says: "Our family is so thankful that our daughter has this chance to travel and to get her heart healed!"

Thiago is a three-year-old boy from Bolivia. He lives with his parents, who both work in agriculture, and his two older siblings. Thiago's story of being diagnosed with a heart problem is unique. He accompanied his parents in a protest march against a law that threatened their community, walking for 28 days from the Bolivian Amazon to the city of La Paz. When they finally arrived, the high altitude of the city affected Thiago's breathing, causing the family to seek medical care. Doctors then discovered that Thiago has Tetralogy of Fallot, a heart condition involving a hole between two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Thiago does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On May 26th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow normally. Thiago's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Thiago's father shares, "We are so happy that our son's surgery has been scheduled for this week, and we hope for the best."

Vuthy is a 21-year-old day laborer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham Province with his parents, who work as day laborers. He is the fourth of five siblings. His three older siblings are married, and his youngest sister is in Grade 12. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends in the village. About six months ago, Vuthy was involved in a motor vehicle accident that fractured his left upper arm. He underwent surgery at a private clinic, but the bone became infected and did not heal properly, resulting in a chronic wound and a radial nerve injury. He experiences persistent pain, stiffness, and pus discharge from the wound on his left upper arm. The radial nerve injury also prevents him from lifting his wrist or straightening his fingers, making it difficult to use his left hand for work and daily activities. When Vuthy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 4th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove the damaged and infected tissue from his left upper arm, helping control the infection and promote wound healing. This is an important first step before further reconstructive procedures to restore the function of his arm and hand. Vuthy's family can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $367 more to fund his procedure and care. Vuthy said, “I hope this surgery will remove the infection, heal my arm, and help me regain the use of my hand so I can return to my normal life and become independent again.”