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Success! Simon from Kenya raised $615 for life-saving brain surgery.

Simon
100%
  • $615 raised, $0 to go
$615
raised
$0
to go
Fully funded
Simon's treatment was fully funded on December 31, 2015.

Photo of Simon post-operation

February 8, 2016

Simon received life-saving surgery to relieve pressure in his brain.

“Simon’s surgery to help drain excess fluid from his head was successful. The treatment stabilized his intra-cranial pressure minimizing the risk of life-threatening brain stem compression,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation.

Simon’s mother shares, “Your organization means the world to me. Thank you for your support. I don’t know what I would have done without you. I am optimistic that Simon will live a long and healthy life.”

"Simon’s surgery to help drain excess fluid from his head was successful. The treatment stabilized his intra-cranial pressure minimizing the...

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December 20, 2015

Meet ten-day-old Simon. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), informs us that Simon, who lives with his mother in Kenya, was born with a congenital neurological condition caused hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus causes an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. In an infant, too much CSF can increase pressure in the brain and inner skull, typically leading to swelling and developmental delays.

Simon’s mother is a single parent. AMHF explains, “Simon’s mother hawks second hand clothes to support the family, but is not able to raise the required funds for Simon’s surgery.”

For $615, Simon will undergo a shunt insertion operation. A shunt will be surgically placed into the swollen area of Simon’s brain–naturally draining the excess CSF and reducing the intracranial pressure.

“Simon’s surgery will help reduce the excessive pressure on the brain, preventing visual impairment and death,” AMHF states.

“It is every mother’s joy when her child is healthy and growing up well and normal and her lowest moment when her child is ill,” AMHF tells us. Simon’s mother adds, “I am hoping there will be help towards Simon’s treatment.”

Meet ten-day-old Simon. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), informs us that Simon, who lives with his mother ...

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Simon's Timeline

  • December 20, 2015
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Simon was submitted by Joan Kadagaya, Curative Medical Support Program-Partner Representative at African Mission Healthcare.

  • December 28, 2015
    TREATMENT OCCURRED

    Simon received treatment at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH) in Kenya. 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.

  • December 31, 2015
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Simon's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • December 31, 2015
    FULLY FUNDED

    Simon's treatment was fully funded.

  • February 8, 2016
    TREATMENT UPDATE

    Simon's treatment was successful. Read the update.

Funded by 8 donors

Funded by 8 donors

Treatment
Hydrocephalus - Shunt
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

Symptoms of hydrocephalus include an enlarged head size, irritability, abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and increased intracranial pressure. Cognitive development can be affected, and damage to the optic nerve can cause blindness.

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

In young children, hydrocephalus affects brain development, cognition, and vision. In older children and adults, hydrocephalus also causes headaches.

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

The burden of infant hydrocephalus in East Africa is significant, with more than 6,000 new cases estimated per year. The majority are caused by neonatal infection and vitamin deficiency, and should thus be preventable. In East Africa, the single most common cause of hydrocephalus is infection, usually via neonatal meningitis or ventriculitis. Neonatal sepsis is common and is exacerbated by the lack of skilled perinatal care for the majority of births in Africa.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

Hydrocephalus patients are usually treated within a few days of arriving at the hospital. Fortunately, our medical partner can accept many patients who would otherwise go home if they could not afford the surgery cost. Treatment involves inserting a shunt into the brain to route cerebrospinal fluid to another part of the body. One month after surgery, the patient returns for a follow-up appointment.

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

This surgery is lifesaving. The patient will no longer be at risk of cognitive and vision damage. Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus can restore and maintain normal cerebrospinal fluid levels in the brain.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is treatable, though the outcome depends on how quickly the disease is identified and treated.

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

There are few quality care centers in the region. Hospitals lack adequate resources and expertise to treat this condition. With about one neurosurgeon per 10,000,000 people in East Africa, initial treatment for hydrocephalus is often unavailable.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Surgery is the only option.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.