Joshua's Surprise on the Internet

Joshua E was surfing the internet from his home in Los Angeles. The medical student had developed an effective motivation to keep up with his studies and schedule: if he didn’t complete his daily tasks, he would donate US$20 to charity. One day, Joshua E didn’t finish his jobs. Making good on his promise to donate – Joshua E went to Watsi.com, a global funding platform that enables anyone to donate as little as US$5 to directly fund healthcare for people around the world. ICM has been privileged to partner with Watsi since 2015.

Being a medical student, Joshua E preferred funding medical treatment. Looking at the site, a name and photo caught his eye – 11-year-old Josh B from the Philippines. Josh B was born with an imperforated anus, and needed colostomy closure surgery. Josh B needed an emergency colostomy operation at South Cotabato Provincial Hospital when he was a newborn, however due to lack of finances, his family was not able to continue on with treatment that would eventually allow him to live his life without a colostomy bag. When Josh B’s situation was brought to ICM’s attention, his case was added to the Watsi website.

The child not only shared Joshua’s E’s name, but due to different medical conditions, both had colon problems that greatly affected their quality of life. Joshua E has Ulcerative Colitis, a condition where the immune system attacks the colon. The treatment for his colon problem is medication. When the disease first came on, Joshua E was in constant pain. He was lucky, he was able to quickly seek medical attention and fortunately, his Ulcerative Colitis is now very well controlled.

When Joshua E read Josh B’s story, he knew he had found the child he would donate to. “As someone that suffers from Gastro Intestinal issues, I related to what Josh was going through. Plus the fact that his name is Josh made him a shoe-in. I wanted to help him out,” shared Joshua E. He donated, and also left a little note: ‘Dear Josh, I know life can be tough. I have a similar condition. Great things in life can happen for you. Keep energetic, ambitious, persistent, and do your best on a daily basis not to let this get you down. Stay Strong! Joshua’

“I left Josh the personal message to let him know that even though things can be tough, that people care about him,” shared Joshua E.

Josh B was encouraged by Joshua E’s message – and while waiting for the surgery continued his studies, despite the challenges that his condition presented. Thanks to Joshua’s E’s donation and other crowdfunding donors, Josh B’s surgery happened late this summer. sam_1303

ICM’s medical officer recently visited Josh B in his home. Josh B’s mother was very emotional, and wanted to send her thanks to Joshua E. She was not immediately able to express herself, but eventually with tears flowing, she managed, “We are very thankful to God that we find assistance through ICM. Especially to Josh’s sponsor for his operation, thank you is not enough for his generous heart”.

Josh B is healing well, attending follow up appointments, and looking forward to playing soccer once his parents and doctor give him approval. He will always be grateful to Joshua E, his friend across the sea.

By Lito Tadulan, ICM’s Communications Officer, Koronadal

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Joshua’s Surprise on the Internet

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Bernadette Tan

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