Angel Alexis Garay

End Date: Aug 22, 2012 12:00 AM

After a Medical Brigade in Higuerito Cedros with the University of Arizona, the Patient Referral team received news of a referral made for a little boy with a prolapsed rectum. Angel Alexis Garay is just three years old and has suffered from this uncomfortable condition for 7 months.

The Referral team met with Angel and his grandmother in April to have a consultation with a GB doctor, Dr. Bruce, and to obtain more information regarding his condition. We came to learn that Angel is often in pain and cries when he goes to the bathroom because of the pain. His grandmother dresses him with clothes on his underside for nighttime because his condition can lead to blood and mucus leaking from his anus when he lies down.

The Referral team was able to connect with a pediatric gastrointestinal surgeon at Medical Center in Tegucigalpa, Dr. Tome, to get the opinion of a specialist. Dr. Tome had been Dr. Bruce’s (GB doctor) mentor during his studies in medical school and agreed to meet with us for a consultation. In May 2012 the Referral team brought Angel and his grandmother to Dr. Tome’s office. He assessed Angel’s condition in more detail and conducted a physical exam. It was confirmed that Angel suffers from a full-thickness rectal prolapse, in which his rectum has begun to protrude out of the anus. Dr. Tome believes Angel may have a polyp in his rectum.

The Referral team has since obtained a complete blood count (CBC) test, glucose test, and a stool and urine exam for Angel. It has been determined that Angel needs a rectal infiltration, a reconstructive surgery to alleviate his condition. The estimated cost of this procedure is $1,200. The Patient Referral team hopes that with the efforts of passionate volunteers and student groups we can raise this money in no time so that we can rid Angel of his debilitating condition.

UPDATE!
Thanks to the incredible efforts of University of Arizona and Athletico, on August 21, 2012, Angel was able to receive surgery to correct his debilitating condition! Angel’s grandmother was overwhelmed with gratitude towards all those that made this happen and wrote a wonderfully heartfelt thank you. It was a great day and we are so happy to have been able to bring this care to Angel. As always, opportunities to save and improve lives would not be possible without you, and on behalf of Angel and his family, we thank you!