Urgent Appeal for Heart Surgery in Kenya

(above: Reuben, Juliana and Cornelius Terer)

This is an urgent appeal.

We are the Colton family, raising funds for an urgently needed heart operation for Cornelius Terer.

Cornelius is the son of our dear friend Reuben, who has been our driver and guide in the Masai Mara for more than ten years. Reuben and his family live in the Bomet County of Kenya. Reuben earns around $10- $20 a day working long hours driving in the Masai Mara. This job is seasonal and inconsistent, meaning that during parts of the year when no work is available, he has no income.

(above: Reuben Terer, Terry and Liz Colton)

His son Cornelius has recently been diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart Disease that causes severe damage to the heart valves and can lead to death.

He is only 25 years old.

For Cornelius, this disease was brought on by complications of childhood Tonsilitus which had been left untreated.

Symptoms of Rheumatic Heart Disease include:

• Palpitations

• Tiredness

• Swelling of the ankles and legs

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pains

• Dizziness

• Fainting

If left untreated, it will lead to heart failure and death.

Rheumatic Heart Disease is all too common in developing countries like Kenya, which have widespread poverty and limited access to medical services. This means that bacterial and viral infections often go untreated.

The Cardio-thoracic Surgery Unit at Tenwek Hospital has told Cornelius that in order to save his life, he will need urgent open-heart surgery to replace the damaged valves in his heart.

Tenwek Hospital is able to do this life-changing operation. However, it will cost 1.5 million Kenyan shillings or £15,000. Reuben and his family have limited medical insurance that can only cover £2000 of these medical expenses, leaving £13,000 in medical costs they cannot afford.

Funding the cost of an operation like this would be difficult for most people in the United Kingdom; it is practically impossible for most families in Kenya.

This is why we are appealing for your help to help raise £15,000 to cover these costs.

(Note: due to the photo size requirements, we had to split the photo.)

Funding Breakdown

£15,000 will cover the total cost of the open heart operation plus ongoing aftercare. Any additional donations will be used for Cornelius’ recovery and ongoing care.

We hope you can find it in your hearts to donate whatever you can to help save the life of young Cornelius Terer. We would like to reach as many people as possible, so please share our appeal with your friends and family.

Thank you on behalf of Reuben, Juliana and Cornelius Terer, Terry Colton and family.