SAN DIEGO – March 8, 2022 – Fresh Start Surgical Gifts will donate approximately $600,000 worth of life-changing medical care to 15 children in need during their surgery weekend March 12-13. The surgery weekend is in partnership with Rady Children’s Hospital, which is ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals in 2021 by U.S. News & World Report. They will also see 20-30 kids at their clinic for postoperative follow-up visits, speech therapy, laser treatments and initial consultations. An additional 30 kids will receive dental and orthodontic treatments.
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts transforms the lives of disadvantaged infants, children and teens who have physical and cosmetic deformities through their gift of reconstructive surgery at absolutely no cost to patients or their families. World-renowned surgeons donate their time and expertise to these children to offer them a fresh start on life through much-needed medical care.
“It’s so amazing to work with Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and play a part in changing the lives of these children. As a doctor, I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to contribute in a way that focuses on the individual child and their healing,” says Dr. Bari Cunningham. “Fresh Start allows us to consider the needs of the child without the burdens of documentation, authorization, billing, scheduling. Each child I get to work with holds a special place in my heart and I’m grateful for the opportunity to become a part of their story.”
To efficiently provide care and corrective surgery for the children’s deformities, Fresh Start hosts six surgery weekend cycles annually. Each cycle provides patients with two days of intensive surgeries along with supporting medical treatments, such as dental, orthodontics, laser and speech therapy. Fresh Start’s volunteer medical professionals are highly qualified and strive to empower the confidence of these children. To see a preview of surgery weekend, click here.
The surgeries set for this upcoming surgery weekend range from kids of various ages with cases ranging from otoplasty, laser treatments for port-wine stain removal done by Dr. Bari Cunningham to strabismus (crossed eyes) correction by Dr. Greg Ostrow, and hand surgery by Dr. Kate Hinchcliff. The children are from all across Southern California, Dallas Texas and Venezuela, Mexico.
Two similar cases of children with a port-wine stain will be treated at this surgery weekend. One patient from Allen Texas, Edwin, 7 months old, will be treated for a port-wine stain on his face. Edwin’s parents’ health insurance will not cover the treatment he needs, as it is very expensive and considered cosmetic. Andrea, age 4, will receive her final treatment for a port-wine stain that covered almost the entire left side of her face.
Since Fresh Start’s beginning in 1991, the organization has provided 8,621 children with medical care valued at $53,325,191 and the need for medical care continues to grow. Fresh Start is consistent in their mission to provide high-quality medical treatment for disadvantaged youth, no matter the circumstance.
Every child receives the highest quality medical care, and the families never see a bill for the services provided. Each donor’s money is put to the highest use and each dollar donated enables Fresh Start to provide $5 in medical care. One hundred percent of contributions go directly to medical programs.
For more information on Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, please visit FreshStart.org For media inquiries, please contact PR@teaminnovision.com.
ABOUT FRESH START SURGICAL GIFTS
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts transforms the lives of disadvantaged infants, children and teens who have physical and cosmetic deformities through their gift of reconstructive surgery. Providing reconstructive, plastic and neurosurgeries for children across the U.S., Fresh Start’s commitment to children extends far beyond medical care. The organization ensures their children will leave feeling more empowered than before. The impact Fresh Start has on their children’s confidence, drive to receive an education and desire to make a difference goes unmatched. To learn more, visit FreshStart.org.