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Isaiah is a cheerful teenage boy from Kenya who needs $646 to fund a corrective surgery and prevent future complications.

Isaiah
35%
  • $230 raised, $416 to go
$230
raised
$416
to go
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November 21, 2022

Isaiah is a young boy from Kenya. He is the eighth born in a family of ten children. Some of his siblings have finished school while others are still studying. Isaiah’s father passed on earlier this year and their family relies on his mother and the older siblings to get by. His mother works on people’s farms for a living while the older siblings are mostly casual laborers and do not earn much from their jobs.

Isaiah was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Isaiah has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.

Their family does not have medical insurance coverage and cannot raise the required amount needed for Isaiah’s surgery. Fortunately, Isaiah will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 22nd. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.

Isaiah’s mother says, “When I first heard about this condition and what would happen if not treated, I was very worried for my son.”

Isaiah is a young boy from Kenya. He is the eighth born in a family of ten children. Some of his siblings have finished school while others ...

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Isaiah's Timeline

  • November 21, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Isaiah was submitted by Ruth Kanyeria, SAFE Program Coordinator at African Mission Healthcare.

  • November 22, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Isaiah was scheduled to receive 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.

  • November 27, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Isaiah's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Isaiah is currently raising funds for his treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Isaiah's treatment update from African Mission Healthcare.

Funded by 3 donors

Funded by 3 donors

Treatment
Orchidopexy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $646 for Isaiah's treatment
Hospital Fees
$480
Medical Staff
$10
Medication
$30
Supplies
$90
Labs
$5
Other
$31
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

One of the testicles either appears to be missing or cannot be felt in the scrotum.

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

Left untreated, this condition can lead to infertility. The higher temperature inside the body can affect sperm production. Men with both testicles affected are more likely to experience fertility-related issues than men with only one affected testicle. This condition can also cause inguinal hernia, in which the intestine protrudes through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. Only surgery can correct this condition, which can otherwise result in intestinal damage or death. Finally, this condition is a risk factor for testicular cancer. If surgery is performed early, this risk is limited.

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

Undescended testis is the most common birth anomaly in boys. This condition is present in about 1-4.5% of newborns, with a higher incidence in premature babies (30-45%). Unilateral undescended testis is four times more likely than bilateral. Data on this condition is scarce in Kenya, so the true prevalence of acquired undescended testicles is still unknown.

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

What does the treatment process look like?

After surgery, the patient will stay in the hospital for an average of three days. The patient is continually monitored.

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

Treatment will reduce the risk of infertility, inguinal hernia, and testicular cancer.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

This condition is very treatable, and the procedure is low-risk.

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.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

An alternative to surgery is to use synthetic hormones that encourage the testicle to move into the scrotum. Hormone therapy is only recommended if the child’s testicle(s) are close to the scrotum. However, hormone therapy is not commonly available in Kenya.

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.