Zin is a 64-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his family and works as a laborer. He enjoys listening to the news during his free time. In May 2023, Zin fell on his back while running away from a cattle chasing him. Now, he experiences pain below his waist as well as hand and leg tremors. He needs people to hold and support him to walk short distances. Zin's doctors suspect that he has cauda equina syndrome due to the injury to his back. Cauda equina occurs when the nerve roots in the lumbar spine are compressed, cutting off sensation and movement. Zin's doctors want to perform an MRI to detect his spinal injury and explore possible neurological defects. However, Zin cannot currently afford to get the MRI. Thankfully, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), can help. On July 4th, Zin will receive an MRI at BCMF's care center. Now, BCMF is requesting $681 to cover the cost of the MRI. Zin said, "I want to escape from this suffering. I would be very happy when recover fully. Then, I will work hard to pay back my debt. I want to thank you [BCMF and the donors] for supporting my treatment."

Jasmin is an 11 year-old girl from Bolivia who needs heart surgery. Jasmin lives with her father, a police officer, and her mother, a nurse. She has one older brother and one younger sister in La Paz. Jasmin likes to paint, draw in coloring books, and help her family with errands. Jasmin was born with Down syndrome, and also a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving Jasmin weak and short of breath. Our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund surgery to repair Jasmin's heart. During surgery, doctors will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer pass through it. Once her heart is repaired, Jasmin will be able to breathe easier and have more energy and ability to make the most of everyday. Jasmin's mother shares: "we're so happy that the time has finally arrived for her surgery, our family has been waiting a long time for this moment."

Maung is a 62-year-old grandfather who lives with his family in a village in the conflict areas of Karen State, Burma. His wife is retired and his daughter is a mother to his three grandchildren who are in nursery school. Maung is a day laborer on a farm, and his son-in-law is a carpenter. However, their combined income is not enough to cover their daily expenses, and they have to borrow money to buy food. In his free time, Maung loves to play with his grandchildren. Two years ago, Maung started to notice pain around his lower abdomen on the right side of his body. He took medicine he received from a local healer. The medicine worked for a while and managed to feel better. However, a few weeks ago, while Maung was working on the farm, the pain came back. He went to the healer but this time his condition did not improve. Two days after the pain arrived, his lower abdomen started to swell. The area has increased in swelling and when he walks he experiences a burning pain. If he coughs or sneezes, the swollen area increases and causes more pain. Maung had decided against going to a clinic or hospital due to his family's financial situation. Fortunately, Maung arrived at the care center of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), where he will be able to receive treatment. The doctor quickly diagnosed him with an inguinal hernia and told him that he needs surgery as soon as possible and scheduled his procedure for June 7th. BCMF is requesting $828 to help fund this procedure to heal his condition. Maung said, "Thank you very much to all the donors and BCMF for helping me to receive treatment. I will not be able to have treatment without your support. My income is not even enough for my family and I always have to borrow money to meet the end of the month. If I have to get treatment by myself, the only way I will have to choose is to suffer as I cannot afford it."