Written by Dr. Mindy Gill, ICM Director of Health Services
Most of us take for granted being able to access health care in the time of need. However, for those living in poverty, there are often insurmountable financial barriers which lead to a lifetime of unnecessary suffering. This is true even for relatively minor surgical conditions such as hernias, cysts, goitres and cleft lips. ICM has been providing funds and case management for hundreds of similar cases over the past 22 years and have witnessed the profound transformation that can occur.
Chase Adam, a world traveler and entrepreneur, had a similar revelation during a trip to Watsi, Costa Rica where he encountered a mother desperately trying to raise funds for her son’s medical condition. Through that experience, he went on to co-found an organization called Watsi, which he named after the town. Watsi is a global crowdfunding platform for healthcare which enables people to donate as little as $5 to directly fund life-changing medical care for people in need. With this common vision, International Care Ministries was delighted to enter into a partnership with Watsi in September 2013, and together have already provided transformative surgery for 17 patients.
John, aged 8, was one of these patients. He was born with a defect in his lower abdominal wall which caused a large hernia in his groin. His parents had been unable to raise the necessary funds for surgery and he was struggling at school. Thanks to the ICM-Watsi partnership, John’s hernia has been repaired and he now looks forward to life as an active and healthy boy.
CLICK HERE to check out our partner page and join us in reaching even more people in need!
