Local residents of Louisville rally to support a young boy from Gaza who has suffered an amputation

In the midst of conflict, an organisation named Heal Palestine is making a significant difference in the lives of children in Gaza. The nonprofit, co-founded by pediatric oncologist Dr. Zeena Salman, focuses on medical evacuations and healthcare support for the region.

Dr. Salman, who also leads a team at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has been instrumental in building pediatric cancer care capacity in Palestine and other regions. Recently, she spoke to MORNING EDITION about the organisation's work.

One of the children helped by Heal Palestine is Saher Qahwaji, a 6-year-old boy who lost much of his right leg due to a bombing by the Israeli military in Gaza in July 2024. Tragically, the bombing also claimed the life of Saher's infant brother.

In the aftermath, there was no hope of getting a prosthetic in Gaza. However, Louisville community members stepped up to provide pro bono medical care for Saher and his mother. Wayne Luckett, co-owner of Louisville Prosthetics, donated a custom-fit prosthetic leg for Saher, which would usually cost about $10,000.

Luckett also provided extra liners and a longer shin tube for Saher's mother to make adjustments as he grows. Saher accepted the prosthetic quickly, showing remarkable resilience.

Luckett believes that 3D printing technology could be a game changer for the production of prosthetics, making them more accessible and affordable for children in need.

Heal Palestine recently brought 11 children to the U.S. for care. Many of these children have experienced loss, such as orphaning or losing a sibling or parent. Despite their hardships, the children are geared towards just wanting to be normal, fit in, and go to the playground.

However, due to a pause in the program that allowed medically vulnerable children from Gaza to receive treatment in the United States, many of these children, including amputees like Saher, will have to return to Gaza without follow-up care.

Luckett, recognising the need for prosthetics in Gaza, hopes that practitioners like him will be able to help amputees there after the war. Heal Palestine continues to work tirelessly to provide these children with the care they need and deserve.

Local residents of Louisville rally to support a young boy from Gaza who has suffered an amputation