I am Melissa, a 26-year-old woman who has been a disciple for four years and a member of the Bulawayo International Church of Christ. I graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Arts and Media Performance in 2020. I am currently living at home with my parents and am not employed due to my current health condition. Since high school, I have been experiencing health issues related to my menstrual cycle. During exams, I had to take medication to suppress my period entirely because I was unable to function during that time. I suffer from severe period cramps, nausea, headaches, back pain, fatigue, and episodes of anemia. Some months are so severe that I require hospitalization, where I receive pain injections, medication, and intravenous fluids due to excessive vomiting that prevents me from taking oral pain medication. I was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety, which can lead to panic attacks, insomnia, and social anxiety.

I have been seeking medical attention from doctors, specialists, and gynecologists for years. Last year, I was diagnosed with Endometriosis and Premenstrual Dysphoric disorder. These conditions impose a significant financial burden. The ongoing medications I must take, especially those I require daily for depression, anxiety, and endometriosis, are costly in the long term. I also have medications for pain and nausea that I take as needed. Doctor's appointments, check-ups, and injections at the clinic add to the expense. Any financial support you can provide to help me access all my medication would alleviate my parents' financial burden and enable me to seek help for my depression and other related illnesses. Thank you so much in advance.

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Kariyanthu Welunni Vijayarajan is a faithful disciple from ICOC Sri Lanka. He is 63 years old. In November 2023, he was admitted to the hospital for high blood pressure, which led to a mild stroke. As he already had a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney problems, his condition was particularly concerning. In July 2024, he was hospitalized twice for symptoms of high blood pressure, a heart attack, and pneumonia. Recently, he was diagnosed with early blindness, and doctors advised him to undergo cataract surgery. Any delay could cause permanent damage to his vision.

Kariyanthu now needs to start Avastin injections for three months, along with recommended medication and eye drops for aftercare. Once the injection process is complete, he will need to prepare for cataract surgery. A rough estimate of medical expenses for the Avastin injections is around USD 400 for three months. Cataract surgery, including operations, additional medication, and hospital bills, is estimated to cost around USD 1,000. Any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated. This operation could significantly improve Kariyanthu's situation by saving his sight and allowing him to live as normal a life as possible.

$1,000

My name is Amor Q. Ladores, and I am 54 years old. I have been a dedicated member of the International Church of Christ (ICOC) Philippines since 1992. My missionary journey began in 1994, where I was part of the original mission team in ICOC Davao. I led this church for seven years before serving as a missionary in ICOC Thailand in 2009. Subsequently, in 2015, I moved to Cambodia to assist the ICOC Cambodia, Battambang church. In 2018, we returned to Davao to continue supporting the local church. Currently, my husband, Ariel Ladores, and I are co-leading ICOC Davao in a non-full-time capacity.

Recently, I received a diagnosis of kidney problems, liver cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus. Additionally, I have bilateral cataracts. The ongoing medical expenses, including the impending eye surgery, have created a significant financial challenge for my family. My current health insurance does not cover the daily medication costs, making them a substantial out-of-pocket expense.

Given my circumstances, I am humbly requesting financial assistance from the ETF (Employee Trust Fund) to help defray my medical expenses. Your generosity would alleviate a significant financial burden for my family. I am deeply grateful for any support you may provide. May the Lord bless your heart for your kindness.

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My name is César Gallegos, and I am a 53-year-old disciple with 31 years of experience. I have been married to a wonderful woman of God for 17 years, and we have no children. For 22 years, I worked as an art restorer and helped mount international exhibitions of the Dolores Olmedo Museum collection. The pandemic presented significant challenges for my family. I was unjustly dismissed from my job without notice or severance pay, despite my 22 years of service. My wife's health deteriorated, and I underwent a recent spinal operation. The stress of the quarantine, coupled with a lack of savings or medical insurance, forced me to withdraw funds from my retirement account and borrow money to survive. This led to a severe economic, emotional, and spiritual crisis, which we were able to overcome with God's help and the support of our church community.

Now, my wife and I are doing our best to rebuild our lives. However, due to my current situation, our limited income is insufficient to cover my medical expenses. Last year, I underwent corneal surgery to address a scaling that was affecting my vision. My condition has worsened, and I am struggling to see clearly. I have been advised to consult a specialist, but the cost of the necessary tests is beyond our means. I am still undergoing rehabilitation for my spine and hands. I humbly request your financial assistance to enable me to obtain the necessary tests and correct my vision. I send you my greetings and express my sincere gratitude for your willingness to support me. May God bless you all.

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My name is Juliette Padon, and I am 47 years old. I have been a dedicated member of the International Church of Christ (ICOC) for 28 years. I was initially reached out to and baptized by ICOC Davao and am currently a member of ICOC Tagum. Unfortunately, my father, Victor Padon, who has been the cornerstone of our family, has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. During this challenging time, we humbly request your support to help cover his substantial hospital bills and medications. Any contribution from the ETF would be a tremendous blessing to our family, which has endured significant hardship over the past years due to my father's medical condition. We are deeply grateful for your kindness, generosity, and prayers. May God continue to bless the ETF and the individuals who are dedicated to this noble cause.

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My name is Matilda, a 60-year-old single mother of 5 children. Three years ago, I found solace in my faith and became a disciple. Life took an unexpected turn when my ex-husband sold our marital home without my knowledge and left. I then relocated to Lusaka to live with my second-born daughter, hoping to start anew. About two years ago, I began experiencing excruciating back and neck pain, often waking up with a numb left arm and left leg. After seeking medical help at a government hospital, I was diagnosed in May with Cervical spondylosis, a condition in which two spinal discs in my neck have severely degenerated. The recommended solution is surgery, which comes with a hefty price tag of USD 7,000. On top of that, the medication I need costs 200 USD per month and is crucial for regenerating the cells in my body, a treatment I'm supposed to undergo for 8-12 months. My days are filled with constant pain, making it difficult for me to sleep or even perform simple tasks. I am reaching out for any assistance that would help alleviate the financial burden of both the surgery and ongoing medication. Your support would mean the world to me.

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Alfred was baptized in 1988 at Jamaica Church and remained a faithful member for many years. He left the Church for a few years, but his wife, Gloria, maintained her faith and prayed for him daily. During this time, all their children were baptized. Following the baptism of their youngest child, Alfred was restored to Christ and reconnected with the church community. He has been dedicated and committed to the church and currently serves as a leader within his Family Group. Alfred is a carpenter, while Gloria works as a house helper.

Earlier this year, Alfred began experiencing vision problems. In April, he was diagnosed with multiple retinal tears in his right eye, which was treated with laser surgery. His left eye has also been affected by a retinal detachment. Due to his deteriorating eyesight, Alfred has been unable to work, resulting in a significant decrease in the family's income. He has relied on public healthcare clinics for treatment at no cost, but the medication required for his condition is expensive. The family urgently needs to cover the cost of essential surgery to restore and improve Alfred's vision. Your generous support will alleviate Alfred's condition and improve his family's living situation.

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Aleida Sazo is a single mother and devoted disciple from Guatemala. She has three daughters, aged 15, 9, and 5. In December 2021, Aleida's then 6-year-old daughter was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The child underwent surgery in January 2022 to remove her right kidney, appendix, and half of her liver. Afterward, she received 31 chemotherapy treatments, 5 radiation therapies, was fed through a tube for 5 months, and endured a year of treatment. Her recovery process lasted approximately 2 years, and she is currently under observation with regular checkups. During this time, her other daughter, who was 3 at the time, underwent two surgeries: one for tonsils and adenoids.

To make matters worse, Aleida separated from her husband in March. After a few months, she was subsequently diagnosed with stage 1 thyroid cancer. We are reaching out to ETF for assistance in obtaining medication and necessary hospital care during this difficult time. Any help you can provide would significantly improve this family's life situation.

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Maria Elena and Carlos, a devoted couple serving in full-time ministry at our Santa Cruz, Bolivia church, are facing a challenging time. Their family, which includes two school-aged children (an 11-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son), is grappling with Maria Elena's deteriorating health. Unfortunately, a recent diagnosis revealed a 2.8-centimeter kidney stone and another in her gallbladder. These stones are causing significant health issues and require surgery for removal.

While a fellow church member, a surgeon by profession, has generously offered to perform the surgery at no cost, the family is burdened with the remaining expenses associated with the procedure. These include hospital fees, anesthesia & medications needed for recovery. We are requesting ETF for financial assistance. Any contribution, whether big or small, will be greatly appreciated and will go directly towards Maria Elena's surgery and recovery. Your support will not only alleviate their financial stress but also demonstrate the love and compassion that is the foundation of our church family.

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Absalom, a faithful disciple for two decades, and his wife Maureen, also a disciple for 12 years, have dedicated their lives to their faith and family. They have seven children, including their 11-year-old daughter Triza Ayoma. As a caretaker and a domestic worker, they tirelessly work to save for their children's future despite earning a basic wage.

Their lives took a drastic turn when Triza was diagnosed with an enlarged heart condition. Doctors advise urgent medical attention, as her health is deteriorating and she can no longer attend school. Absalom is reaching out to ETF for financial assistance for his daughter's critical medical treatment and medication. Your generosity will help alleviate their financial burden and give Triza a chance at a healthy life.

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