Today, in Mending Kids' “Meet Our Board” series, we're thrilled to spotlight one of our longest-serving board members, Dorothy Lucey. A part of our organization since its inception in 1993 and a dedicated board member since 2005, Dorothy's unwavering commitment has been instrumental in our growth and success for nearly two decades. Dorothy is best known for her illustrious career as an entertainment reporter, co-hosting the popular morning news show Good Day L.A. for 17 years. A George Washington University graduate with a degree in political science, Dorothy's career has spanned roles at ABC-TV, NBC Sports, and various shows like Attitudes on Lifetime Television and How'd They Do That? on CBS. Beyond her professional achievements, Dorothy is deeply committed to her community and uses her platform to advocate for charitable work.
Dorothy and her family hosted Sandra, a young girl from El Salvador suffering from Poland Syndrome, who needed reconstructive surgery to correct her hand deformity. Today, Sandra has a daughter of her own, and she and Dorothy still keep in regular contact—a testament to the lasting impact of Dorothy’s kindness.
Dorothy’s passion and dedication have been crucial to Mending Kids' development. She has participated in six missions, including Ethiopia (twice), Cambodia, Panama, El Salvador, and Peru, where she was joined by her son, Nash. In Peru, Nash served as a translator, creating memories he’ll cherish forever. As our longest-standing ambassador and beloved social media butterfly, Dorothy has played a key role in our outreach and growth. We are incredibly grateful for her continued leadership, compassion, and support as we strive to change the lives of children in need. GET TO KNOW DOROTHY:How many years have you been involved with Mending Kids & how many years have you been a board member? Forever Have been on any missions? If so, which one stands out? If you have not, which one would you like to take part in? Ethiopia was my first, & second, I brought my son with me too. Been there twice. Also I’ve been to Cambodia, Panama, Peru & El Salvador. How did you become involved with Mending Kids? Friends invited me for coffee, showed me photos of some kids & said if we don’t help them they will die.. That was all I needed to become involved. What's the most impactful part of being involved with Mending Kids for you? Seeing a child wake up from surgery. What is your idea of happiness? Playing with kids on a mission. What are some things on your bucket list? More missions. If you could have dinner with 3 people, past present or future who would they be? Jesus, Bono & my mom. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Ehhh… Which talent would you most like to have? To bring hope & joy (& lollipops) to kids in need Join us, along with Dorothy, at our upcoming Hike 2 Mend for |
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As everyone heads back to school, we would like to shine a light on one of our former patients, Badru.
At the time he came to our attention, through an email request from the Go Campaign in the spring of 2015, he was a four-year-old boy from rural Uganda suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot – a heart condition marked by four congenital heart defects. Screened in a rural health clinic by a visiting cardiologist, the little boy with blue lips and clubbing fingertips spent most of his days crouching in a squatting position with little energy to do much else. The prospects of him making it to his fifth or even sixth birthday were slim. The challenge was that we had no surgical outreach to Uganda, and he was too complex for us to send to India through our Individual Surgical Care program. We did however have a scheduled cardiac mission in Northern Tanzania in the summer, a few months away. If our surgeon would agree to treat him and the Hospital would allow us to mend a foreign patient, we might be able to help.
After getting the hospital to agree to allow us to do the surgery, Badru was placed on the patient roster for the cardiac mission that would take place at the Bugando Medical Center in Mwanza, that June. The logistics to get Badru from Northern Uganda to us began in earnest and involved a village of do-gooders and pastor Robert Nabulere, of the aptly named Miracle Center to make it happen.
At the time he came to our attention, through an email request from the Go Campaign in the spring of 2015, he was a four-year-old boy from rural Uganda suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot – a heart condition marked by four congenital heart defects. Screened in a rural health clinic by a visiting cardiologist, the little boy with blue lips and clubbing fingertips spent most of his days crouching in a squatting position with little energy to do much else. The prospects of him making it to his fifth or even sixth birthday were slim. The challenge was that we had no surgical outreach to Uganda, and he was too complex for us to send to India through our Individual Surgical Care program. We did however have a scheduled cardiac mission in Northern Tanzania in the summer, a few months away. If our surgeon would agree to treat him and the Hospital would allow us to mend a foreign patient, we might be able to help.
After getting the hospital to agree to allow us to do the surgery, Badru was placed on the patient roster for the cardiac mission that would take place at the Bugando Medical Center in Mwanza, that June. The logistics to get Badru from Northern Uganda to us began in earnest and involved a village of do-gooders and pastor Robert Nabulere, of the aptly named Miracle Center to make it happen.
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Badru’s mother, a widowed subsistence farmer with 5 other children, only spoke a Ugandan dialect, so a translator nurse (Eve) and a male chaperone (Peter) were recruited to travel with Badru. It took a 12-hour bus ride across Uganda to the shores of Lake Victoria, an overnight ferry to Tanzania, another 2-hour bus ride to Mwanza, and a taxi to the hospital to get Badru to us, all timed with the arrival of the Mending Kids team on the same day, the mission’s surgical scheduling were to happen.
Alarmingly, Badru arrived with a fever, which meant he could not be scheduled for surgery until his infection was under control. He was put on a course of antibiotics that would take 24 hours to have effect. While we were doing his bloodwork, it was revealed that he had O- blood, and 4 units were required for the surgery. Panic set in when the blood bank came up empty. So we reached out to the local airways who agreed to broadcast a public service announcement seeking blood for him. Mwanza donors came through but only yielded 2 units. Our surgeon adjusted his needs and said that if we could get one more unit of blood and use plasma, he could still operate.
Alarmingly, Badru arrived with a fever, which meant he could not be scheduled for surgery until his infection was under control. He was put on a course of antibiotics that would take 24 hours to have effect. While we were doing his bloodwork, it was revealed that he had O- blood, and 4 units were required for the surgery. Panic set in when the blood bank came up empty. So we reached out to the local airways who agreed to broadcast a public service announcement seeking blood for him. Mwanza donors came through but only yielded 2 units. Our surgeon adjusted his needs and said that if we could get one more unit of blood and use plasma, he could still operate.
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As luck would have it, I am also O-. There was no question in my mind as to what needed to be done and I walked over to the blood bank to donate the unit needed. My main concern was my high cholesterol and how this could impact Badru. With a one-day window left to operate, Dr. Salvatore Agati and his excellent ancillary team proceeded with the surgery. I promised myself that if he survived, I would fund his education.
After a two-week stay in the hospital, Badru and his entourage made the long trek home, where he rejoined his five brothers and sisters. Worried about his welfare and his mother’s lack of support, I purchased 3 goats for her to help the family.
After a two-week stay in the hospital, Badru and his entourage made the long trek home, where he rejoined his five brothers and sisters. Worried about his welfare and his mother’s lack of support, I purchased 3 goats for her to help the family.
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In 2016, Badru began attending a good regional school some distance from his village. Since then, his mother turned her three goats into a herd, which allowed her to purchase cattle. This allowed her to purchase land and build a house for her family. One community, one pint of blood, one surgery, one life, and one universe that comes with it. A veritable snowball effect is the result of hope, love, and mending.
Badru is now 12, with good grades, and looks forward to school this term. And I still have high cholesterol.
- Isabelle Fox,
Executive Director
Badru is now 12, with good grades, and looks forward to school this term. And I still have high cholesterol.
- Isabelle Fox,
Executive Director
save the date - 09.21.2024
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Together, we are mending kids!
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Hi Friends,
We are thrilled to announce our annual Hike2Mend event is coming up! This annual tradition is more than just a hike—it's a morning of hope, healing, and community.
We are thrilled to announce our annual Hike2Mend event is coming up! This annual tradition is more than just a hike—it's a morning of hope, healing, and community.
Date: Saturday, September 21st, 2024
Time: 8am-11am
Location: 5792 Chesebro Rd., Agoura Hills, CA, 91301
Registration: Free and family-friendly. Pets are welcome!
We will come together in the great outdoors, united by a common goal: to bring life-changing surgical care to children in need around the world and raise awareness for health equity. Every step we take and every dollar we raise will help us provide the surgeries that mend not just bodies, but also the futures of these incredible kids.
Hike2Mend is our way of bringing together people who share a passion for making a difference while enjoying the outdoors and spending time with friends, family, and fellow supporters.
Hike2Mend is our way of bringing together people who share a passion for making a difference while enjoying the outdoors and spending time with friends, family, and fellow supporters.
There will be trails for all hiking appetites, so whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk, there's a path for you!
We welcome all participants, including dogs on leashes, to join us. Mark your calendar and be part of this inspiring journey!
We welcome all participants, including dogs on leashes, to join us. Mark your calendar and be part of this inspiring journey!
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Daniella appeared on our radar 5 years ago. The request to help her came from someone who had heard about her plight at church from her pastor's pulpit. He had been contacted by the child’s father, who was also a pastor in Africa. Daniella was 13 years old, a sweet girl with a broken heart, living in Malawi, a landlocked nation in Southern Africa where the majority of the population earned under $2 a day. There were no cardiac or catheterization services available in the country. They could barely afford the tests to confirm the extent of her disease, and the family could not afford the cost of repairing her heart in South Africa. Appeals for prayers to save her were sent out through their pastoral network, and the ripple effect landed at our door.
When Mending Kids was founded, it had one program (Individual Surgical Care) and a lovely cushion of disposable cash to repair children’s hearts—carte blanche—at many hospitals in Los Angeles and around the world. It was a matter of a request coming in, getting the studies to the appropriate surgeon, applying for travel visas, identifying a host family, scheduling the operation, putting a child on a plane to get mended, and writing a check. Although most of the steps haven’t changed, if we had kept pace with that approach, Mending Kids would likely have closed its doors more than fifteen years ago. The person who advocated for Daniella was still operating in the past. Having to explain how our programs worked and that, in order to remain sustainable, we had to fundraise for Daniella to get her lifesaving procedure, taking the air out of her balloon of enthusiasm. We ended the meeting with her promise to pray for us (to help Daniella).
Given the complexity of her repair and the fact that we did not have the several hundred thousand dollars of disposable budget to bring her to the U.S., we had to look into more practical options. As it happened, we had a team heading to Tanzania in the fall of 2019. If we could travel Daniella to Dar es Salaam, we could have our doctors do the diagnostic catheterization needed to see if she was operable and, if so, what the roadmap would be. While people were praying, we were coordinating Daniella’s flights. By October, we had the answers. Sending her to India was an option, but given her complexity, if something went wrong—as it sometimes happens—God forbid, we would never hear the end of it. Europe offered a more manageable option, but it would have meant using ⅓ of our Individual Surgical Care program budget—one Daniella heart repair vs. five to seven other kids getting the same opportunity. While we were figuring out the financial options, COVID-19 popped up its ugly head and the world shut down. Everyone was in survival mode.
When Mending Kids was founded, it had one program (Individual Surgical Care) and a lovely cushion of disposable cash to repair children’s hearts—carte blanche—at many hospitals in Los Angeles and around the world. It was a matter of a request coming in, getting the studies to the appropriate surgeon, applying for travel visas, identifying a host family, scheduling the operation, putting a child on a plane to get mended, and writing a check. Although most of the steps haven’t changed, if we had kept pace with that approach, Mending Kids would likely have closed its doors more than fifteen years ago. The person who advocated for Daniella was still operating in the past. Having to explain how our programs worked and that, in order to remain sustainable, we had to fundraise for Daniella to get her lifesaving procedure, taking the air out of her balloon of enthusiasm. We ended the meeting with her promise to pray for us (to help Daniella).
Given the complexity of her repair and the fact that we did not have the several hundred thousand dollars of disposable budget to bring her to the U.S., we had to look into more practical options. As it happened, we had a team heading to Tanzania in the fall of 2019. If we could travel Daniella to Dar es Salaam, we could have our doctors do the diagnostic catheterization needed to see if she was operable and, if so, what the roadmap would be. While people were praying, we were coordinating Daniella’s flights. By October, we had the answers. Sending her to India was an option, but given her complexity, if something went wrong—as it sometimes happens—God forbid, we would never hear the end of it. Europe offered a more manageable option, but it would have meant using ⅓ of our Individual Surgical Care program budget—one Daniella heart repair vs. five to seven other kids getting the same opportunity. While we were figuring out the financial options, COVID-19 popped up its ugly head and the world shut down. Everyone was in survival mode.
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Fast forward 4 years, Daniella is still on our minds, and we are still looking for a Hail Mary to get her surgery. In August of 2023, Isabelle, our Executive Director, attended the World Pediatric Congress in Washington, D.C., and as it turns out, our Mending Kids’ table was next to Mission Bambini, an Italian NGO. After a round of introductions, we found out that they brought international children from abroad for surgery in Milan, mostly from Albania. Isabelle didn’t miss an opportunity to mention Daniella. She was now 17, less than half-year away from turning 18, the cutoff age for most help in the pediatric world. Time was running out. We needed a miracle soon. Being at the right place and the right time, we cashed in whatever karma chips we had left and painted a compelling case to help Daniella to Mission Bamini. And then the sea parted by way of the surgeon who volunteered with them. He walked up to our table and we were introduced. Within ten minutes, Isabelle was sharing her files with him. Within fifteen minutes, he was telling her that she was risky yet operable and he could help her. Eighteen minutes in, we were talking to Mission Bambini about getting the ball rolling. For all the jaded cynics out there, miracles do happen. Mission Bambini would cover all the surgical costs. We just needed to coordinate getting her visas, flight tickets, and pay for accommodations. This was financially feasible! They were asking us how quickly we could schedule her, because they also had a bit of funds left in their budget to help her. It just needed to be locked in before the end of the year. We were doing virtual cartwheels. How hard could that be? Well, all of a sudden we needed a new round of updated echoes because all the prior ones had expired. This meant getting the family to travel 3+ hours to Lilongwe to get her a new echocardiogram. This also meant wiring money to the family to pay for the tests and all documentation needed. By the time we had all the official attestations from the Milan hospital’s offer of services, via Mission Bambini and Mending Kids, her vaccination records, income records, and finally the new tests. The flights were booked for her to travel mid-January 2024! We were at last ready to have Daniella’s family apply for her visa, only to learn that Italy did not have an embassy in Malawi; we had to go through the Norwegian Embassy. Panic set in as getting in touch with these Scandinavians was frustrating since their website was down and diplomatic bureaucracy was shutting down for the Christmas holiday. After several days of attempting, our coordinator, Daphne, managed to get an attaché and she was able to convey the urgency of Daniella’s visa application for Italy. In the end, though we had missed the Malawi deadline by a day, our new Norwegian friend expedited her dossier to his Embassy in South Africa and the visa was quickly approved. A Christmas miracle indeed.
The family made plans, and as the new year was rung in, Daniella turned 18, and she and her mom showed up at the airport to board their flights to Milan. Except they weren’t allowed to. Come to learn that because a wheelchair was ordered to spare Daniella from walking long distances, Ethiopian Airlines had not told us that she needed a medical clearance issued within 48 hours of departure on a special form, to clear her for travel. We wanted to scream in frustration, and we did. Thankfully, the Italian hospital rescheduled her procedure, and we were able to help Daniela and her mom arrange for the medical clearance. Two days later, Daniella and her mom took off from Malawi and landed in the middle of a frosty Italian winter. Mission Bambini was there to receive them and get them situated once they arrived.
The family made plans, and as the new year was rung in, Daniella turned 18, and she and her mom showed up at the airport to board their flights to Milan. Except they weren’t allowed to. Come to learn that because a wheelchair was ordered to spare Daniella from walking long distances, Ethiopian Airlines had not told us that she needed a medical clearance issued within 48 hours of departure on a special form, to clear her for travel. We wanted to scream in frustration, and we did. Thankfully, the Italian hospital rescheduled her procedure, and we were able to help Daniela and her mom arrange for the medical clearance. Two days later, Daniella and her mom took off from Malawi and landed in the middle of a frosty Italian winter. Mission Bambini was there to receive them and get them situated once they arrived.
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More tests were scheduled to reconfigure her physiology. As expected, the disease had advanced, and the repair was going to be more complicated, therefore riskier. More prayers poured in, and faithful volunteers from Mission Bambini were there to support the mom. Daniella was scheduled for her operation and after many long hours, she thankfully survived the procedure. She was recovering as expected when she unexpectedly suffered a seizure. Panic set in from near and afar as we all stood by helplessly trying to understand this turn of events. Her mom was understandably distraught. Her father more so, as travel to join them was not permitted and all we could do was hold our collective breaths. Under the medical team’s expert care, Daniella was stabilized. More tests were run when it was revealed that she had suffered seizures in the past (somehow it had slipped the family’s mind to share this). Regardless, the medical personnel at the hospital went above and beyond to address this newly uncovered condition and put her on the right course of medication to control this from happening again. What was supposed to be a 3-week visit to Italy turned into a 6-week stay. Everyone knew that once Daniella returned home, if a complication arose, she would not be able to get to the closest medical center to receive appropriate medical care. She needed to be stable. In the captivation of her recovery, no one realized that the visa had expired for both the mother and the patient. They were now officially illegally in the country, even though they had a valid and compelling excuse. There were 3 tense days while everyone scrambled to get the documents extended. Two months after arriving, our friends at Mission Bambini were able to put them on flights home to a father and relatives who were eagerly awaiting their arrival.
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We took our time to be able to share her story and all that went into helping her because nothing is ever a guarantee. Life happens. We are happy to report that 4 months have passed since she was reunited with her pastor-father. We are praising our partners, all the volunteers, and our tireless coordinator who rode the rollercoaster of Daniella's recovery to a happy ending. The journey to care is never a straight line. It involves a lot of moving parts, a lot of dedicated individuals who commit to seeing our patients through the process, and a lot of unexpected twists and turns. There are no guarantees, but once we accept helping a patient, we rely on our resourcefulness, partnerships, and compassion to see that our patients return home to their families mended.
If there are more prayers to be expressed, it is for the many more kids on our waiting list hoping that they too will beat the odds and have a chance to receive the life-saving care that will transform their lives and restore their futures.
If there are more prayers to be expressed, it is for the many more kids on our waiting list hoping that they too will beat the odds and have a chance to receive the life-saving care that will transform their lives and restore their futures.
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Dear Friends,
We are thrilled to share the highlights of our first-ever Pickleball Tournament held at The Tennis Club Newport Beach! The event was a grand slam success, bringing together many of our long-term supporters who have been with us for years. We also welcomed new friends and connected over a game of friendly competition!
We are thrilled to share the highlights of our first-ever Pickleball Tournament held at The Tennis Club Newport Beach! The event was a grand slam success, bringing together many of our long-term supporters who have been with us for years. We also welcomed new friends and connected over a game of friendly competition!
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A special congratulations to Tyler Adolphson and Ryder Roth, who battled to the end and emerged as the winners of the tournament! Your skill and sportsmanship made the event even more exciting.
A heartfelt thank you to our board member, Deidre Bailey, for spearheading this outreach, and great appreciation to all our wonderful sponsors. We couldn't have achieved this success without their support.
A heartfelt thank you to our board member, Deidre Bailey, for spearheading this outreach, and great appreciation to all our wonderful sponsors. We couldn't have achieved this success without their support.
OUR HEARTFELT THANKS GOES OUT TO
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Thank you for your Dink-credible support. Check out the album below.
As we prepare for upcoming surgical mission trips, we have opportunities for non-medical volunteers for the following programs
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Dear Friends,
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have fun! The deadline to register to play is today and we would love to see you there!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have fun! The deadline to register to play is today and we would love to see you there!
Date: Saturday, July 20
Time: Registration and Pro class start at 3:00 PM, Games start at 4:00 PM
Location: Tennis Club Newport Beach
11 Clubhouse Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
What to Expect:
🎾 Calling all tennis players new to pickleball! We'll have a pro there to show you the ropes.
So gather your friends, family, and colleagues, and join us! Our event promises fun, friendly competition, and community spirit, all for a great cause! Your registration fee helps fund medical missions and critical care, making a real difference in young lives.
- Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie, there's a spot for you.
- Delicious Tacos and Drinks
- Prizes: winning team will take home $500
- Family Fun
🎾 Calling all tennis players new to pickleball! We'll have a pro there to show you the ropes.
So gather your friends, family, and colleagues, and join us! Our event promises fun, friendly competition, and community spirit, all for a great cause! Your registration fee helps fund medical missions and critical care, making a real difference in young lives.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
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Friends,
Get ready for our inaugural event in Newport Beach! Join us for an exciting afternoon at our Pickleball Tournament on July 20th. It's more than just a friendly tournament—it's a chance to be a hero! By playing or watching, you'll directly support Mending Kids in our mission to provide life-saving surgical care to children in need.
Get ready for our inaugural event in Newport Beach! Join us for an exciting afternoon at our Pickleball Tournament on July 20th. It's more than just a friendly tournament—it's a chance to be a hero! By playing or watching, you'll directly support Mending Kids in our mission to provide life-saving surgical care to children in need.
Date: Saturday, July 20
Time: Registration and Pro class start at 3:00 PM, Games start at 4:00 PM
Location: Tennis Club Newport Beach
11 Clubhouse Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
What to Expect:
🎾 Calling all tennis players new to pickleball! We'll have a pro there to show you the ropes.
So gather your friends, family, and colleagues, and join us! Our event promises fun, friendly competition, and community spirit, all for a great cause! Your registration fee helps fund medical missions and critical care, making a real difference in young lives.
- Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie, there's a spot for you.
- Delicious Tacos and Drinks
- Prizes: winning team will take home $500
- Family Fun
🎾 Calling all tennis players new to pickleball! We'll have a pro there to show you the ropes.
So gather your friends, family, and colleagues, and join us! Our event promises fun, friendly competition, and community spirit, all for a great cause! Your registration fee helps fund medical missions and critical care, making a real difference in young lives.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
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Dear Friends!
Are you ready to swing into some fun and make a difference while you’re at it? We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming Pickleball Tournament in Newport Beach and we can’t wait to see you there!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just picked up a paddle, this tournament is for ALL playing levels. Come show off your skills, learn a few new ones, or simply hang out to watch! We know all that are playing will work up an appetite, so we’ve got a delicious taco bar and refreshing drinks, sponsored by our friends at Ghia.
We’ll have some friendly competition and prizes for the top players. But remember, the real winners are the kids we’re supporting!
Are you ready to swing into some fun and make a difference while you’re at it? We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming Pickleball Tournament in Newport Beach and we can’t wait to see you there!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just picked up a paddle, this tournament is for ALL playing levels. Come show off your skills, learn a few new ones, or simply hang out to watch! We know all that are playing will work up an appetite, so we’ve got a delicious taco bar and refreshing drinks, sponsored by our friends at Ghia.
We’ll have some friendly competition and prizes for the top players. But remember, the real winners are the kids we’re supporting!
Date: Saturday, July 20th
Time: 3:00 PM
Registration and Pro class start at 3pm, Games start at 4pm
Location: Tennis Club Newport Beach
11 Clubhouse Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Every serve, volley, and rally at this event supports Mending Kids' mission to provide life-saving surgical care to children in need. So, while you’re having fun, you’re also making a big impact! Don’t miss out on the fun! Mark your calendars and get ready for an afternoon of pickleball, great food, and fantastic company. Rally your friends, family, and coworkers to join in too!
HEROES WHO ARE MAKING IT POSSIBLE
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Gearing up for Father’s Day, we're thrilled to introduce you to an extraordinary member of our Board and proud father of 8 (think Brady Bunch): Dr. Evan Zahn, a pediatric cardiologist with a heart of gold (and a knack for fixing tiny ones)! As the director of the Guerin Family Congenital Heart Program at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, he has led 8 cardiac missions to Tanzania and Mauritius, sharing his expertise and compassion, mending hundreds of hearts, and saving the lives of children in need.
Dr. Zahn's journey into pediatric cardiology started with a passion for helping the littlest patients overcome the biggest challenges. With every tiny heartbeat he mends, Dr. Zahn instills hope, love, and a profound sense of relief to families in need, restoring not only the future of his patients but also that of their families and communities. Thanks to his lifesaving work, hundreds more fathers will be celebrating Father’s Day with their children this year.
Dr. Zahn's journey into pediatric cardiology started with a passion for helping the littlest patients overcome the biggest challenges. With every tiny heartbeat he mends, Dr. Zahn instills hope, love, and a profound sense of relief to families in need, restoring not only the future of his patients but also that of their families and communities. Thanks to his lifesaving work, hundreds more fathers will be celebrating Father’s Day with their children this year.
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When he's not busy saving lives, Dr. Zahn knows the importance of balancing work with play, running marathons and spending time with his family, which keeps his own heart happy. His colleagues describe him as a brilliant doctor with contagious enthusiasm. Patients and families see him as a superhero bringing hope during difficult times. Here at Mending Kids, we know him as a member who brings valuable and wise insights, along with an inspiring presence, to our board meetings.
Join us in celebrating Dr. Evan Zahn, a true hero with a heart for making a difference. We're honored to have him on our Board and grateful for the incredible work he does every day.
Join us in celebrating Dr. Evan Zahn, a true hero with a heart for making a difference. We're honored to have him on our Board and grateful for the incredible work he does every day.
Get to know Dr. Zahn!
How many years have you been involved with Mending Kids & how many years have you been a board member?
I’ve been involved for 10 years, and a board member for 6 years..
How did you become involved with Mending Kids?
Soon after my family and I moved to LA, I bumped into someone at a fundraiser at one of my kid’s schools who thought I might be interested since I had done mission work in Russia and South America years before and it evolved organically from there.
What's the most impactful part of being involved with Mending Kids for you?
On an emotional level the most impactful part is being able to see all the beautiful smiles on the faces of the kids going home after we’ve mended their hearts. On a more global level, the most impactful part is knowing that we are training the local teams and impacting thousands of kids with heart disease who haven't even been born yet!
What is your idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is having our whole giant crazy blended family together in one place laughing endlessly and enjoying each other... preferably poolside with a cocktail in hand
What are some things on your bucket list?
I must admit by this age and the amount of traveling I've done I've hit a bunch of them... Completing an Iron Man-check, diving with great white sharks-check, swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon-check. That being said, there's always more... I'd like to go on a long trek through the mountains in Bhutan, master woodworking, live a quiet life in the mountains, and paraglide….
If you could have dinner with 3 people, past present or future who would they be?
My father and my two best friends Michael and Bruce who all left way too soon.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"What could possibly go wrong? And a bunch of words I can't repeat here but suffice it to say I grew up in New York and we curse a lot.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would give anything to play the guitar like Jerry Garcia
I’ve been involved for 10 years, and a board member for 6 years..
How did you become involved with Mending Kids?
Soon after my family and I moved to LA, I bumped into someone at a fundraiser at one of my kid’s schools who thought I might be interested since I had done mission work in Russia and South America years before and it evolved organically from there.
What's the most impactful part of being involved with Mending Kids for you?
On an emotional level the most impactful part is being able to see all the beautiful smiles on the faces of the kids going home after we’ve mended their hearts. On a more global level, the most impactful part is knowing that we are training the local teams and impacting thousands of kids with heart disease who haven't even been born yet!
What is your idea of happiness?
My idea of happiness is having our whole giant crazy blended family together in one place laughing endlessly and enjoying each other... preferably poolside with a cocktail in hand
What are some things on your bucket list?
I must admit by this age and the amount of traveling I've done I've hit a bunch of them... Completing an Iron Man-check, diving with great white sharks-check, swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon-check. That being said, there's always more... I'd like to go on a long trek through the mountains in Bhutan, master woodworking, live a quiet life in the mountains, and paraglide….
If you could have dinner with 3 people, past present or future who would they be?
My father and my two best friends Michael and Bruce who all left way too soon.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"What could possibly go wrong? And a bunch of words I can't repeat here but suffice it to say I grew up in New York and we curse a lot.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would give anything to play the guitar like Jerry Garcia
Ready to support our mission?
Your donation empowers Dr. Zahn and the Mending Kids team to transform lives and restore futures around the world. Join us and be a part of the superhero squad making a lasting difference in children's lives!
Happy Father's Day!
Together, we are Mending Kids!
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Dear Friends,
At Mending Kids, our mission is to provide life-saving surgeries to children in need across the globe. Thanks to your generosity, we have already made an incredible impact, but there is still so much more we can achieve together.
Every day, many of us spend $5 or more on a cup of coffee. While it’s a small treat for ourselves, what if once a month that $5 could be transformed into something far more significant? By choosing to forgo that cup of coffee just once a month, you can help save a child’s life. That same $5 can contribute to a life-saving surgery for a child who otherwise would not have access to the medical care they desperately need.
At Mending Kids, our mission is to provide life-saving surgeries to children in need across the globe. Thanks to your generosity, we have already made an incredible impact, but there is still so much more we can achieve together.
Every day, many of us spend $5 or more on a cup of coffee. While it’s a small treat for ourselves, what if once a month that $5 could be transformed into something far more significant? By choosing to forgo that cup of coffee just once a month, you can help save a child’s life. That same $5 can contribute to a life-saving surgery for a child who otherwise would not have access to the medical care they desperately need.
Here’s how your small sacrifices can make a monumental difference:
- $5/month = Pain medication for one mission
- $25/month = Patients’ Travel Documents fees to get to surgical care
- $50/month = A plane ticket to Central America to send a volunteer surgeon to save a child
- $100/month = One orthopedic surgery for a patient in need
- $250/month = One life saving heart surgery for a child
If you are not yet a monthly donor, we invite you to join this incredible community. With your help, we can continue to expand our reach and provide vital medical care to even more children in need. Every donation, no matter the size, increases our impact to make a profound difference in the lives of these young patients.
