Mending Kids

We’re just 8 days away from Hike 2 Mend! On Saturday, Sept 21st, join us at Cheeseboro Canyon Park for a beautiful morning hike where every step helps provide life-saving care to children in need. https://events.mendingkids.org 🌿✨

📅 When: Saturday, Sept 21, 2024
⏰ Time: 8:00am - 11:00am
📍 Where: Agoura Hills, CA
🐾 Free registration, family-friendly, and yes, pets are welcome!

Can’t join in person? You can still make a difference by donating. Let’s make every step count! 🌟



Icelandic Glacial Water

Participate in Mending Kids’ FREE online symposium starting September 18th! This six-part lecture series focuses on pediatric aerodigestive care and the importance of multidisciplinary practices. Hear from a variety of experts including otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, pediatric surgeons, speech-language therapists and pediatric anesthesiologists.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd7u_jikXY0r9oyet7owpRLIWyvRhDCpYCeda9MU5BsF-HBBQ/viewform

Register today! Participants who attend 4 or more lectures and participate in pre- and post-attendance surveys will receive a certificate of completion from the course directors and Mending Kids. 💜🦋



UCSF Health

In just 2 weeks, join us for a hike at Cheeseboro & Palo Comado Canyon with friends, family, and pets! 🥾Together, we’ll raise awareness for health equity while supporting children in need of life-saving surgeries. 💜Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a relaxing walk, this event is open to everyone. Register for free: https://events.mendingkids.org

Meet Dorothy Lucey, one of Mending Kids’ longest-serving board members! 🌟 From her incredible career as an entertainment reporter to her commitment to our cause. 🦋 We’re beyond grateful for Dorothy’s leadership, kindness, and passion as she continues to help us change the lives of children. 💜 For full story: https://events.mendingkids.org

As August ends, our hearts are full of gratitude for the incredible support that made it possible to transform 27 lives this month. 💜 Together, we’re giving hope, love, and mending to children in need. Thank you for standing with us and making a difference. 🦋

We’re less than a month away from our Hike 2 Mend event! 🥾 Join us on September 21 at Cheeseboro & Palo Comado Canyon as we come together to hike in the shoes of a parent striving to gain access to surgical care for their child. 💜 Registration is free, so grab your friends and family, and let’s hike with purpose! 🦋 https://events.mendingkids.org

As kids head back to school, we’re reminded of Badru’s incredible journey. At just 4 years old, he faced slim chances of surviving past his 5th birthday due to a complex heart condition. But thanks to the dedication of our team and a life-saving surgery during our cardiac mission in Tanzania, Badru’s story took a remarkable turn. 💜 And there’s one more twist you won’t want to miss—our Executive Director might have played an unexpected role in his survival. 🦋 For full story: https://www.mendingkids.org/blog/badru-goes-back-to-school

Thanks to the support of our amazing volunteers, we’re helping children like her have a brighter, healthier future. 💜🦋 Interested in making a difference? Join us for Hike 2 Mend on September 21 as we champion health equity. 🥾⛰️ https://events.mendingkids.org

We wrap up an incredible week by mending 16 children’s hearts in Davao City, Philippines. 🇵🇭 Thanks to our dedicated team from the Philippine Heart Center, these children now have the chance to live healthier, brighter lives. ❤️ We’re getting closer to our goal of mending a child every day! 🦋

Save the Date! 🗓️ Lace up and join us for Hike 2 Mend on September 21st! Let’s walk together to support health equity and honor the journeys of parents securing life-changing care for their kids. Registration is FREE—every step makes a difference! 💪👟 https://events.mendingkids.org

Save the Date! Join us on September 21, 2024, at Cheeseboro Canyon Trail in Agoura Hills, CA, for our 6th Annual Hike 2 Mend! Together, we will walk to promote health equity and celebrate the incredible dedication of parents who overcome barriers to secure life-saving surgical care for their children. 💜🦋🥾

Mark your calendars! Free Registration: https://events.mendingkids.org

Be part of this meaningful event to support mending more kids’ lives!

Heartfelt journeys begin as we touch down in Naga City, Philippines, ready to bring hope, love, and mending to little hearts and restore futures. 💜🦋🇵🇭

AmericaresMAP InternationalSave A Child's HeartMedShareAbbottBoston ScientificVyaire MedicalB. BraunCook MedicalLifeBoxPhilippine Heart CenterBoston Children’s HospitalSmith and NephewShriners Children'sWigmore Women's and Children's HospitalICU Medical, Inc.Oracle Health

Happy Friday! Two weeks ago we brought hope to 10 more children in Cabanatuan City, Philippines, bringing our total to 274 lives transformed this year. 💜 Next week, we journey to Naga City, Philippines with the Philippine Heart Center to continue mending hearts and restoring futures. 🇵🇭 Together, we’re making a difference. Thank you for keeping our kids in your thoughts and for making their lives matter. 🦋



AmericaresMAP InternationalSave A Child's HeartMedShareAbbottBoston ScientificVyaire MedicalB. BraunCook MedicalLifeBoxPhilippine Heart CenterBoston Children’s HospitalSmith and NephewWigmore Women's and Children's HospitalShriners Children'sICU Medical, Inc.Oracle Health

We wish Julia Hans a very happy birthday! 🎂 Julia has been a host mom, non-medical volunteer, board member, and a champion of Mending Kids since the beginning. 🦋 We are so grateful she dedicated her birthday to us, and we thank her friends for donating in honor of her 90th spin around the sun. 🎉 Thank you, Julia, for always thinking of our kids and making their lives matter. We love you! 💜

Our first Pickleball tournament was a smashing success, and we are thrilled to share some of the highlights! A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and all who participated. 💜 Your support and enthusiasm made this event possible. The funds raised will go directly to our surgical programs, making a life-saving impact on the lives of kids in need. Thank you! 🦋

Beach Cities ToyotaNewport Beach Tennis ClubJen's Cafe Bars

Sixteen kids with complex airway cases were screened, and ten were mended during our recent Tanzania Ear, Nose, and Throat mission at Muhimbili National Hospital! We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our volunteer surgeon and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital otolaryngologist, Dr. Jordan Virbalas, for providing this life-changing care. 💜

Additionally, we hosted educational lectures on tracheostomy placements and airway management, attended by 30 medical professionals. The knowledge shared was invaluable. The need for this training is critical, as an alarming number of children die from complications that lead to intubation. 🦋

A follow-up mission is scheduled for October to continue this lifesaving training. Thank you to everyone who made this mission possible!

Thank you to all who are supporting our Pickle For A Purpose at the Tennis Club Newport Beach this Saturday! 🏓 Whether you’re playing, cheering, or supporting, it’s going to be a fun day of friendly competition and community spirit. 🏆🥇 We are grateful to our participants, volunteers, and sponsors for making this event possible. 💜🦋 Together, we are mending kids. See you soon!

Last day to register to play is today! 🌟 Every serve helps provide life-changing surgeries to children in need. Don’t miss out! See you on the court! https://www.mendingkids.org/pickleball.html

Get ready for the most exciting pickleball tournament of the summer! Join us on Saturday, July 20th at the Tennis Club Newport Beach! 🌟

🏅 Win amazing prizes: $500
🎟️ Register now: $150 to play, $50 to observe

Don't miss your chance to have a blast while making a difference! Every game played supports life-saving surgeries for children in need. ❤️

A huge shoutout to our fantastic sponsors for making this event possible!
For more details and to sign up, visit: http://www.mendingkids.org/pickleball



Beach Cities ToyotaJen's Cafe Bars

🇺🇸 As we celebrate Independence Day, let’s honor freedom and the strength of our future generations. 🎆 Happy 4th of July from Mending Kids! 🌟

AmericaresMAP InternationalSave A Child's HeartMedShareAbbottBoston ScientificVyaire MedicalB. BraunCook MedicalLifeBoxPhilippine Heart CenterBoston Children’s HospitalSmith and NephewShriners Children'sWigmore Women's and Children's HospitalICU Medical, Inc.Oracle HealthMUSE Global School - CalabasasCedars-SinaiBear Givers

Join the fun at our Pickleball Tournament and help transform the lives of children in need! 💜 Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, every swing you take brings hope and healing by supporting critical surgical care. Play or come watch and make a difference together! ❤️🌈

📅 Date: July 20

📍 Location: Tennis Club Newport Beach
11 Clubhouse Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660

⏰ Time: 3:00 PM
Registration and Pro class start at 3pm, Games start at 4pm

Register now! https://www.mendingkids.org/pickleball.html

Ready to swing into fun and make a difference? Join us for the Pickleball Tournament in Newport Beach! 🌴

All playing levels welcome. Show off your skills, learn new ones, or just watch! Friendly competition, prizes, and support for Mending Kids! 🏅

📅 Saturday, July 20th
🕒 3:00 PM (Registration & Pro class at 3pm, Games at 4pm)
📍 Tennis Club Newport Beach, 11 Clubhouse Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Every serve supports life-saving care for kids! ❤️

Don’t miss out—mark your calendars and join us!

https://www.mendingkids.org/pickleball.html

www.mendingkids.org

Healing hearts, one surgery at a time with Mending Kids. 💜 Join us this week in Bacolod, Philippines, as we provide life-changing open-heart surgeries to children like Marcoz during our regional mission. 🇵🇭🫀🩺🥼

AmericaresMAP InternationalSave A Child's HeartMedShareAbbottBoston ScientificVyaire MedicalB. BraunCook MedicalLifeBoxPhilippine Heart CenterBoston Children’s HospitalSmith and NephewShriners Children'sWigmore Women's and Children's HospitalICU Medical, Inc.Oracle HealthCedars-SinaiBear Givers

Happy Friday from Mending Kids! Let’s bring smiles and healing to children around the world today! 💙✨

AmericaresMAP InternationalSave A Child's HeartMedShareAbbottBoston ScientificVyaire MedicalB. BraunCook MedicalLifeBoxPhilippine Heart CenterBoston Children’s HospitalSmith and NephewShriners Children'sWigmore Women's and Children's HospitalICU Medical, Inc.Oracle HealthMUSE Global School - CalabasasMemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long BeachCedars-SinaiBear Givers

Here’s a quick to several years ago with . He is a terrific ambassador for and their international efforts to deliver life changing surgery to kids from all over the world. In this photo, Gene and I are at the annual Hometown Mission for Mending Kids. This is an annual medical mission style event where local children without health insurance or the means to pay for reconstructive surgery can receive the surgery they need. While I do the surgeries, folks like Gene raise awareness. Much of what these organizations need to do involves raising awareness and fundraising. As a former board member, I can tell you that Mending Kids is a terrific organization but it constantly needs support in terms of fundraising to continue doing their great work. This year, I will be traveling to Armenia with Mending Kids to perform a medical mission focused on craniofacial and birth abnormalities. I do this nearly every year in addition to the Hometown Mission. Please check out to find out more information and to donate. Better yet, do what I do and participate in their Kaleidoscope monthly donation program. For a very small donation, you are able to help this organization do the great work it has been doing for so many years.

Happy Monday from Mending Kids! 💖 Let’s start the week with a smile and a heart full of hope.