A 17-year-old girl from the Philippines, Mary Ann Regacho, went blind within hours after squeezing what she thought was just a boil on her face.

Mary had given birth at 16 and initially believed the bump on the bridge of her nose was a hormonal pimple. But as it continued to grow and spread across her face, eventually affecting her vision, she became increasingly concerned.

She tried natural remedies at home, but nothing worked. Now, Mary fears the damage to her face and eyesight may be permanent.

With her husband Albert Sales earning very little from an unstable farming job, the young couple couldn’t afford proper medical care. It wasn’t until a year later that Mary was able to seek hospital treatment—but by then, they still couldn’t cover the costs.

Desperate, Albert turned to the public for help, asking for donations to pay for her medical expenses. He said they barely make enough to feed themselves and care for their baby.