Baby Solomon needs surgery
Donation protected
In Uganda, I met a precious boy, Solomon, with a rare congenital condition. 2.5 years and 2 surgeries later this boy is still suffering. This abnormality should be treated as a newborn, but due to complications and poor access to medical treatment, Solomon needs additional surgeries. I am helping his parents, who were my gracious hosts on multiple work trips to Uganda, to coordinate fundraising to get Solomon the medical attention he needs that is not available to him locally. All donations will directly go towards covering hospital and travel costs for Solomon's surgery.
Mary and David have been married since 2008. On 16 th July 2010, God blessed them with a child Solomon . He was unfortunately born with a congenital abnormality diagnosed as cloacal exstrophy. Cloacal exstrophy is a severe birth defect wherein much of the abdominal organs (the bladder and intestines) are exposed. It often causes the splitting of both male and female genitalia (specifically, the penis and clitoris respectively), and the anus is occasionally sealed. Cloacal exstrophy is an extremely rare birth defect, present in only one in 200,000 pregnancies - one in 400,000 live births.And this is exactly how Solomon's condition is. There was no expertise in Uganda with knowledge and diagnosis of his condition.They immediately recommended them to find facilities outside Uganda that have enough expertise and ability to handle this condition. Since this was a life threatening condition, the couple opted for a close and cheaper option in Kenya called Kijabe Missionary Hospital where the first surgery of Intestinal closure (constructing a colostomy) was done in August 2010.In October 2011, Solomon had another operation of closure of bladder exstrophy that unfortunately failed. He still needs to undergo a series of surgeries; pelvic osteotomies, bladder, anal and genital reconstruction. His doctors invited another urologist specialist in May 2012 who they met and discussed the best options. He highly recommended that if resources allow, they should seek further treatment in United States at Johns Hopkins Hospital with experience in managing this condition.
The family contacted John's Hopkins and fortunately the physicians agreed to donate their services.
Solomon's next operation is due but his parents are not in position to meet the expenses and yet it is highly risky for him to continue living with an exposed bladder exposing him to infections. Mary and David hope to raise enough funds to have Solomon's surgery within 2013. The estimated hospital charges are $180000.This does not cover travel fares and patient's welfare. The estimated duration of Solomon's hospitalization is 60 days.
Mary and David have been married since 2008. On 16 th July 2010, God blessed them with a child Solomon . He was unfortunately born with a congenital abnormality diagnosed as cloacal exstrophy. Cloacal exstrophy is a severe birth defect wherein much of the abdominal organs (the bladder and intestines) are exposed. It often causes the splitting of both male and female genitalia (specifically, the penis and clitoris respectively), and the anus is occasionally sealed. Cloacal exstrophy is an extremely rare birth defect, present in only one in 200,000 pregnancies - one in 400,000 live births.And this is exactly how Solomon's condition is. There was no expertise in Uganda with knowledge and diagnosis of his condition.They immediately recommended them to find facilities outside Uganda that have enough expertise and ability to handle this condition. Since this was a life threatening condition, the couple opted for a close and cheaper option in Kenya called Kijabe Missionary Hospital where the first surgery of Intestinal closure (constructing a colostomy) was done in August 2010.In October 2011, Solomon had another operation of closure of bladder exstrophy that unfortunately failed. He still needs to undergo a series of surgeries; pelvic osteotomies, bladder, anal and genital reconstruction. His doctors invited another urologist specialist in May 2012 who they met and discussed the best options. He highly recommended that if resources allow, they should seek further treatment in United States at Johns Hopkins Hospital with experience in managing this condition.
The family contacted John's Hopkins and fortunately the physicians agreed to donate their services.
Solomon's next operation is due but his parents are not in position to meet the expenses and yet it is highly risky for him to continue living with an exposed bladder exposing him to infections. Mary and David hope to raise enough funds to have Solomon's surgery within 2013. The estimated hospital charges are $180000.This does not cover travel fares and patient's welfare. The estimated duration of Solomon's hospitalization is 60 days.
Organizer
Laura Hoover
Organizer
Bloomington, IN
