Julian

Julian was born with a cleft lip and palate, a condition that left his family searching desperately for answers and solutions. His parents, overwhelmed with the complexities and uncertainties of his medical needs, faced the daunting reality that their son would require multiple surgeries over several years to correct his condition.

For many families, the timeline of cleft lip and palate surgeries is a long and challenging journey. Typically, lip repair surgery is performed when a baby is around three months old, followed by palate repair surgery at about 12 months. By the age of seven or eight, alveolar bone grafting becomes necessary to replace the missing bone in the alveolus, the ridge that holds the teeth. As children grow older, further surgeries may be needed to address issues with the jaw, lip and nose.

For Julian, this journey began with the urgent need to surgically repair his bilateral cleft lip and palate. On November 5, 2022, Dr. Kanack, a dedicated volunteer surgeon with Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, performed the first crucial surgery to repair Julian’s cleft lip. Just a few months later, on July 15, 2023, Julian underwent a second surgery to repair his cleft palate, again under Dr. Kanack’s expert care.

The total value of the medical care and surgeries provided to Julian through Fresh Start Surgical Gifts is an astounding $182,858.57. This generosity and dedication not only changed Julian’s life, but also lifted his family’s spirits. With each surgery, Julian’s ability to eat, speak and smile improved dramatically, paving the way for a brighter and healthier future.