Phal is a 58-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is from Kampong Thom province, and is a widower - his wife died of an illness several years ago. He has two sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. He lives with his oldest daughter who is also a rice farmer. In his free time, he enjoys listening to the news on the radio, taking care of his grandchildren, and visiting the village pagoda. Four months ago, Phal discovered a small mass on his lower jaw which has grown quickly in size. He went to a local hospital but had no money so they did not treat him. A biopsy showed him to have a rare cancer - odontogenic carcinoma, which is an abnormal growth in and around the jaw and teeth. He has jaw pain, and it is difficult for him to eat or drink. He has lost almost 10 pounds in the last four months. When Phal learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, surgeons at CSC will perform mandibulectomy and free flap to remove the cancerous cells and replace the surgical site with a free skin flap, so he can continue to work as a farmer and support his family. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Phal shared: "After surgery, I hope the doctors will remove the tumour from my lower jaw, and I will have no more pain while eating and drinking."

Peterson is a 24-year-old man from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger sister in a city on the southern coast of the island. When he feels well enough, he helps his family with their market stand. Peterson has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Peterson urgently needs surgery, but this is not available within Haiti. So Peterson will fly to United States to receive treatment. On March 2nd, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $15000 to pay for surgery. Peterson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Peterson overseas. "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to fix my heart," said Peterson.

Lu is a 63-year-old man who lives with his wife and niece in a refugee camp in Thailand. He is unemployed, while his wife is a homemaker, and his niece is a student. Lu enjoys going to the forest to fish in the steams and to forage for vegetables. He shared he also likes to read the Bible and to sing hymns. Lu developed cataracts in both of his eyes. As a result, his vision is blurry and impaired, which makes it difficult for Lu to lead an independent life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Lu. On January 19th, doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital will perform a lens replacement procedure, during which they will remove Lu's natural lenses, and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, Lu will be able to see clearly again and get back to his day-to-day life. Now, he needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Lu said: “I feel so annoyed and uncomfortable when I try to look around me, so I will often just close my eyes,” he said. “I want to receive surgery so that my vision can be restored.”