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Marivel is a young college student from the Philippines who needs $890 to fund a thyroidectomy surgery so she can focus on her education.

Marivel
49%
  • $439 raised, $451 to go
$439
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$451
to go
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December 8, 2022

Marivel is a hardworking and loving daughter from the Philippines. She is a 2nd-year college student. While studying, she tried to look for jobs to support her family. Unfortunately, to date she has been unable to pass the medical (health) requirements. The only breadwinner in the family is her father who works as a pedicab driver. Her father’s income is often not enough to bring food to the table.

In 2018, Marivel began to experience troubling symptoms, including a mass on her neck that is growing in size, and episodes of difficulty breathing. Due to the inadequate family resources, she did not seek treatment. By the time she finally had a chance to be checked by a doctor, her condition had worsened. She was diagnosed with Nodular Non-Toxic Goiter, a thyroid gland enlargement with no disturbance in the thyroid function. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.

Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Marivel receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 10th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $890 to cover the cost of Marivel’s procedure and care.

Marivel shared, “I’d like to thank Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines. You’re not just giving me surgery, but also a chance to support my family. After my treatment, I’d be able to find a decent job and provide for our needs.”

Marivel is a hardworking and loving daughter from the Philippines. She is a 2nd-year college student. While studying, she tried to look for ...

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Marivel's Timeline

  • December 8, 2022
    PROFILE SUBMITTED

    Marivel was submitted by Abegail Joy Cervania, Marketing and Communications Officer at World Surgical Foundation Philippines.

  • December 10, 2022
    TREATMENT SCHEDULED

    Marivel was scheduled to receive treatment at Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Philippines. 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 13, 2022
    PROFILE PUBLISHED

    Marivel's profile was published to start raising funds.

  • TODAY
    AWAITING FUNDING

    Marivel is currently raising funds for her treatment.

  • TBD
    AWAITING UPDATE

    Awaiting Marivel's treatment update from World Surgical Foundation Philippines.

Funded by 16 donors

Funded by 16 donors

Treatment
Thyroidectomy
  • Cost Breakdown
  • Diagnosis
  • Procedure
On average, it costs $890 for Marivel's treatment
Hospital Fees
$91
Medical Staff
$214
Medication
$28
Supplies
$338
Labs
$97
Radiology
$11
Other
$111
  • Symptoms
  • Impact on patient's life
  • Cultural or regional significance

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

People with a goiter often have an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland which can lead to the appearance of a mass or swelling in the neck. The signs and symptoms of goiter can vary and may include tiredness, a decrease or increase in weight, low or increased appetite, depression, dryness of skin and hair, sleepiness, diarrhea or constipation and menstrual irregularities (for women).

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

Living with a goiter limits the patient's physical activities, due to soreness or tiredness, frequent coughing, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. If untreated, this could lead to the detrimental reduction of overall capacity and even death among susceptible patients.

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

Especially when left untreated, people with a goiter can tend to be socially excluded from their communities, due to the stigma against people with physical deformities. These may be in the form of lack of employment opportunities, loss of connection with peers, even family, discrimination based on false beliefs on physical deformities (e.g. generational curses because of slights against higher beings).

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

What does the treatment process look like?

The surgical team at the care center facility will safely remove the mass in the patient's neck.

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

If there are no complications after the procedure, the patient will be prescribed thyroid hormone replacement medication to avoid hypothyroidism. Patient are expected to make a full recovery and live a healthy and better future.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Potential side effects of the surgery include bleeding, infection, hypoparathyroidism, or permanent hoarse or weak voice due to nerve damage.

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

The care facility is equipped and accessible to handle this procedure for patients within or who are able to travel to the National Capital Region.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Patients experiencing a goiter often look for medications such as aspirin or corticosteroid infused capsules that will help stabilize the growth or swelling.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Khin

Khin is a 28-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her parents and three older sisters. Her family runs a small grocery store, and her older brother works in a factory to help provide for their family. However, Khin shared that their combined income is not enough to pay for expenses and basic health care. In April 2020, Khin started to experience dizziness, headache, and nausea. Her vision also became blurred and sensitive to light. At first, she thought she just needed eyeglass and visited an ophthalmologist. During that visit, her ophthalmologist tested her eyes and shared that her symptoms may be due to a brain tumor. Currently, Khin is still experiencing the same symptoms but they have been gradually worsening over time. She feels weak and has pain in her neck. Khin visited our medical partner's hospital for further review. The doctors want her to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Khin's CT scan and care, which is scheduled for November 30th. Khin said: "I become angry very easily because of my blurred vision. Before that, I was so patient. I am so worried about becoming blind completely, I don't want to live this way. I don’t want my family to be in trouble because of me. I feel a bit relieved to hear that there will be a donor to help pay for my treatment cost."

48% funded

48%funded
$200raised
$214to go

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.