This past March, during VOSH-New York's 15th humanitarian mission, we met little Yhoalibeth Ximena Abanto, a four year old girl from the impoverished outskirts of Lima (Peru). She is a gentle, vivacious and down to earth little girl, with just an amazingly positive disposition toward life despite her health shortcomings. Unfortunately, she was born with plexiform neurofibromatosis, and has a very serious tumor behind her right eye, which now is posing a huge threat to her life. The local doctors deemed her condition to be inoperable in Peru.
Thanks to the true compassion and tireless efforts of Dr Jorge Won, the founding President of VOSH-New York, as well as many others within the VOSH-New York organization, especially Dr. Julius Shulman, Col. Rodrigo Lavado and Ms. Ana Maria Estrada, we are proud to announce that Yhoalibeth will be traveling shortly to New York to have this life-saving operation at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
These complex surgeries, treatment and follow up care have been graciously donated by an equally inspiring team of doctors and nurses at Mt. Sinai Hospital. In addition, VOSH-New York has made arrangements for Yhoalibeth and her mother to fly round trip from Peru thanks to LAN airlines, and they will be staying at the Ronald McDonald House during her treatment in New York.
Dr. Jorge Won has made it his personal mission to make it possible for Yhoalibeth to get this medical/surgical intervention in the US, and to continue VOSH-New York's mission of helping the visual and eye health of the most needy around the world. It is through continued support and donations that we are able to make dreams and stories like this a reality. Please stay in touch with us at VOSH-NY.org for updates on Yhoalibeth's story.
