Palestinian child recovering from surgery in Charlotte

On December 7, 18-month-old Fedwa Albetaji from the West Bank town of Hebron had pediatric urological surgery by Dr. John Gazak at the Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. The child was born with a bladder deformity and Dr. Gaza provided her the first stage of her treatment by draining her bladder and repairing her hernias, which should improve her kidney and set her up for reconstructive surgery in 2010. Dr. Gaza was on a mission to Palestine in the Spring of 2009 and treated several children in Ramallah Hospital. He also volunteered his services in the summer by treating 3-year-old Anas Lolah from Nablus at his hospital. Fedwa is being cared for and supported by a large group of volunteers in the Charlotte community, who also cared for Anas during his stay in their area.