Post on 20-May-2015
transcript
healing changes everything | cure.org1
Thank you for sponsoring life-saving hydrocephalus surgeries
at the CURE Uganda and CURE Zambia hospitals. Your
generous contribution is enabling 46 children to have life-
saving surgery through CURE this year. The surgeries that
your family and friends have sponsored create the
opportunity for these children to live a life that their
families never dreamed would be possible. It was made a
reality by your generosity. Through your support, you are at
our patients' bedsides as our staff team comforts each child
and showers them with compassion and love. You are there
when the children are wheeled away to their momentous,
life-saving surgery, and you are there as they recover and are
discharged - ready to go home happy, healthy and whole.
This quarter, your gift supported surgeries for 10 children.
Please allow us to introduce you to them:
Report for: The Strawbridge Family and Friends Reporting Period: Report 2: January–March 2014 Hospital Location: CURE Uganda and CURE Zambia Your Gift Enables: 46 Surgeries this year
Surgery Sponsorship Report
1 Soki Adela
My name is: Soki, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Soki was an unexpected baby. When his
mother realized that she was pregnant, she dropped
out of school and went to live with the parents of
Soki's father. About a month ago, Soki started to
show signs of sickness. His mother became concerned.
She took him to the local hospital where they were
then referred to CURE Uganda. At the hospital,
doctors diagnosed his hydrocephalus and performed
surgery to alleviate the condition. At last, he can get
back to knowing a normal childhood.
2 Stephen Odongo
My name is: Stephen, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Unlike many kids in Uganda, Stephen
was born in a hospital. At first, all seemed well.
However, when Stephen turned one month old, he
developed a fever. His mother also noticed that his
head was increasing in size. She took Stephen to the
local health center where doctors examined him and
referred them to CURE Uganda. Once there, Stephen
had surgery to combat the hydrocephalus. Soon, he
will be able to return home, where he can grow up
and start horsing around with his siblings.
healing changes everything | cure.org2
3 Zaituna Buza
My name is: Zaituna, age 1I was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Zaituna is the daughter of a grocery
store owner in Uganda. At only one-year-old, Zaituna
has already had quite the life. Born with
hydrocephalus, she had little hope for survival.
Thankfully, her parents took her to CURE Uganda,
where a world-class team of neurosurgeons treated
her condition. Because of the treatment that she
received at the hospital, Zaituna has been given a
better chance at life. Soon, she will be able to return
home, where she can enjoy childhood to its fullest.
4 Kawesi Amon
My name is: Kawesi, age 1I was treated for: hydrocephalus Background: Kawesi's parents were overjoyed when they first held their son. However, their joy shifted to concern when his head started to swell. Unsure and
unable to seek treatment, Kawesi's condition
continued to deteriorate. After hearing about CURE
Uganda, the family knew just where they needed to
be. At the hospital, Kawesi had surgery to both limit
and reverse the effects of his hydrocephalus. After
recovering, Kawesi will be able to return home, and
his parents joy can be found once again.
5 Bridget Mwansa
My name is: Bridget, age 2I was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: When Bridget's head began to grow
abnormally large, her mother blamed herself for her
daughter's ever worsening condition and lost all hope.
After being referred to CURE Zambia, Bridget's
mother was encouraged to see patients with the
same condition. Since having surgery to combat the
hydrocephalus, Bridget has started to mumble a few
words and her smile is amongst the most beautiful
we have seen. Plus, her mother's guilt has begun to
fade, and her hope has slowly been restored.
healing changes everything | cure.org3
6 Eliza James
My name is: Eliza, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Eliza was born in January of this year.
In February, her mother Josephine noticed that she
had developed hydrocephalus. Despite the cultural
beliefs that people had in her community concerning
hydrocephalus, Josephine never really believed in
them. She always believed that her daughter had a
medical condition. She decided to take Eliza to a
hospital. From there, she was referred to CURE
Uganda. Eliza underwent life-saving surgery and will
be a living testament, dispelling all false beliefs.
7 Fatimah Kamiji
My name is: Fatimah, age 1I was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Fatimah was born with hydrocephalus.
As an infant, she had surgery at a local hospital to
combat the condition. They inserted a shunt and for
nearly a year, everything was good. More recently
however, it became obvious that the hydrocephalus
was back with a vengeance. This time, a friend told
them about CURE Zambia. At the hospital, Fatimah
had surgery to revise her shunt placement. All are
hopeful that this will mean a happy and healthy life
for Fatimah for many years to come.
8 David Lubasi
My name is: David, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalus Background: Baby David is a true cutie. He comes
from a family of miners and has been strong-willed little man from the get go. David was born with both hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Through a series of referrals, David came to CURE Zambia where he was treated with care, love, and expertise. When David left the hospital, he also left many dangers behind. Moving forward, he will be able to use his strength to grow and thrive, rather than fight for his life.
healing changes everything | cure.org4
9 Loveness Yombwe
My name is: Loveness, age less than 1 yearI was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: Loveness is the seventh child in her
family but the first to cause them much of a scare.
Loveness was born with hydrocephalus. When her
parents first noticed that something was wrong, they
took her to a local hospital where they were in turn
referred to CURE Zambia. Upon her arrival, Loveness
underwent surgery to mitigate the hydrocephalus.
Soon, Loveness will be able to return home where she
can grow old with her big, loving family.
10 Omiya Luwaya
My name is: Omiya, age 1I was treated for: hydrocephalusBackground: When Omiya turned one week old, she
developed a fever and started to have convulsions.
Her parents took her to a local clinic where she was
treated. In the months that followed, everything
appeared to be fine. Then, when she turned seventh
months old, Omiya's head started to swell. Through a
series of referrals, she landed at CURE Zambia. There,
doctors diagnosed her hydrocephalus and treated the
condition. All are hopeful that her time at CURE was
the boost she needed to win the war.
Hospital HighlightsDuring this quarter, CURE Uganda and CURE Zambia experienced a flurry of activity in and around each hospital. The
following are a few hospital highlights at CURE Uganda and CURE Zambia over this reporting period:
• CURE Uganda- There were many exciting things happening at CURE Uganda throughout this past quarter,
including the hospital hosting American
neurosurgeons to be trained in the ETV/CPC
procedure. The hospital also
welcomed a number of short-term visitors and their new CUREKids Coordinator (CKC) for this year, Mark Barrett. Mark
previously served as the CKC in Malawi. He is an integral part to being able to tell our patients' stories.
• CURE Zambia- Similarly, CURE Zambia also hosted a number of short-term visitors. They also prepared for Dr. Justin
Onen. Dr. Onen recently graduated from our hydrocephalus training program in Uganda. He is a great addition to
our team of neurosurgeons and we are looking forward to providing life-saving surgery to even more children
because of him.