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As Executive Director of Mending Kids, I read every mission report, every stat, every summary, and often, I travel on missions myself. But once in a while, a story crosses my desk that stays with me long after I’ve read it. The one below was written by one of our board members and lead cardiologists. What he didn’t mention, and probably wouldn’t, is that the volunteer who stood by this child every step of the way is also his wife. They didn’t write it to be about them. But I’m sharing it because it is about the people who make up Mending Kids. The ones who show up. Who advocate. Who care. Rafael’s Prayer: |
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The volunteer was deeply moved and asked to learn more about him. She discovered that Rafael had a severe congenital heart defect causing advanced heart failure requiring prolonged hospitalization with no end in sight. The condition was operable, but his family couldn’t afford treatment. When the mission team arrived, Rafael had not been included in the list of children selected for surgery due to capacity limits — not enough time, not enough operating rooms, and too many urgent cases.
What struck the volunteer most was that despite everything Rafael had endured, he remained gentle, hopeful, and happy. She decided she couldn’t walk away without doing everything she could to help.
Over the next several days, the volunteer dedicated herself to advocating for this young boy. She badgered, bartered, and cajoled the Tanzanian cardiologists, the visiting surgical team, the hospital administrators, and social workers — anyone who would listen. Through her persistence, Rafael was eventually added to the surgical schedule on the final day of the mission.
What struck the volunteer most was that despite everything Rafael had endured, he remained gentle, hopeful, and happy. She decided she couldn’t walk away without doing everything she could to help.
Over the next several days, the volunteer dedicated herself to advocating for this young boy. She badgered, bartered, and cajoled the Tanzanian cardiologists, the visiting surgical team, the hospital administrators, and social workers — anyone who would listen. Through her persistence, Rafael was eventually added to the surgical schedule on the final day of the mission.
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However, one last obstacle remained: he had several infected teeth that had to be removed before surgery could safely take place. With no time or funding available, the volunteer located a pediatric dentist, paid for the procedure and medications herself, and ensured Rafael was cleared just in time for surgery the next day.
But the night before his surgery, two emergency cases came into the hospital from out of the country. With limited operating space, Rafael’s case was bumped from the schedule. The mission team had to leave, and Rafael’s surgery was once again out of reach.
The volunteer returned to the United States, heartbroken but not defeated. She promised Rafael’s mother that she would continue to advocate for him, and she kept that promise.
Less than two weeks later, the volunteer received a message: Rafael had undergone successful heart surgery, performed by the local Tanzanian team. He was stable and recovering well. A day later, she received a video call from the hospital — Rafael’s doctor, his mother, and Rafael himself, smiling and waving from his bed, still weak but visibly brighter.
While medical missions are often defined by logistics, schedules, and numbers, this is what they are all about!
Evan Zahn, MD
Director, Congenital Heart Program
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Board Member, Mending Kids"
But the night before his surgery, two emergency cases came into the hospital from out of the country. With limited operating space, Rafael’s case was bumped from the schedule. The mission team had to leave, and Rafael’s surgery was once again out of reach.
The volunteer returned to the United States, heartbroken but not defeated. She promised Rafael’s mother that she would continue to advocate for him, and she kept that promise.
Less than two weeks later, the volunteer received a message: Rafael had undergone successful heart surgery, performed by the local Tanzanian team. He was stable and recovering well. A day later, she received a video call from the hospital — Rafael’s doctor, his mother, and Rafael himself, smiling and waving from his bed, still weak but visibly brighter.
While medical missions are often defined by logistics, schedules, and numbers, this is what they are all about!
Evan Zahn, MD
Director, Congenital Heart Program
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Board Member, Mending Kids"
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As Father’s Day approaches, I’m thinking of Rafael’s dad, who didn’t live long enough to see his son mended. His love lives on in his little boy, who beat the odds because someone showed up, wouldn’t take no for an answer, and believed he was worth fighting for.
To all the fathers, father figures, and those who carry a father’s love into the world, this day is for you.
With gratitude,
Isabelle Fox
Executive Director, Mending Kids
To all the fathers, father figures, and those who carry a father’s love into the world, this day is for you.
With gratitude,
Isabelle Fox
Executive Director, Mending Kids
Dear Friends,
Thanks to your incredible support, 2024 was a landmark year for Mending Kids.
Together, we doubled our mission output, reaching 10 countries with 24 surgical missions. We provided life-changing surgeries to 451 children, each one now able to live a healthier, fuller life because of donors like you.
Our medical teams volunteered over 5,800 hours of service — hours not only spent mending children, but also exchanging knowledge and skills with local surgical teams. That investment in training helps ensure that the healing continues long after we leave.
We also launched our first-ever missions in Paraguay and Ghana, trained medical teams in Namibia and El Salvador in life-saving neonatal cardiac procedures, and continued building sustainable healthcare solutions around the world.
Thanks to your incredible support, 2024 was a landmark year for Mending Kids.
Together, we doubled our mission output, reaching 10 countries with 24 surgical missions. We provided life-changing surgeries to 451 children, each one now able to live a healthier, fuller life because of donors like you.
Our medical teams volunteered over 5,800 hours of service — hours not only spent mending children, but also exchanging knowledge and skills with local surgical teams. That investment in training helps ensure that the healing continues long after we leave.
We also launched our first-ever missions in Paraguay and Ghana, trained medical teams in Namibia and El Salvador in life-saving neonatal cardiac procedures, and continued building sustainable healthcare solutions around the world.
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You don’t have to be a large organization to make a lasting impact. What matters is showing up where the need is greatest — and now, more than ever, supporting local hospitals and medical communities in reaching children who still lack access to safe, timely surgical care is critically important. Your continued dedication to that mission is what makes this work possible.
We’ve included a link to our 2024 Annual Report, which reflects the hope, healing, and progress you helped make possible. We invite you to read the stories, see the faces, and feel the impact of your generosity.
As we mark our 20th year, we do so with profound gratitude for your partnership. You are part of every life we mend and every future we restore.
With gratitude,
Isabelle Fox
Executive Director, Mending Kids
We’ve included a link to our 2024 Annual Report, which reflects the hope, healing, and progress you helped make possible. We invite you to read the stories, see the faces, and feel the impact of your generosity.
As we mark our 20th year, we do so with profound gratitude for your partnership. You are part of every life we mend and every future we restore.
With gratitude,
Isabelle Fox
Executive Director, Mending Kids
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This May, Mending Kids proudly led not one, but two impactful missions in East Africa, each rooted in our mission to bring, life-changing care to children and empower local providers to carry that work forward. In Tanzania to Uganda (see below), our teams delivered healing, training, and hope.
From May 12 to 17, a powerful dual-team effort unfolded in Tanzania. Led by Dr. Evan Zahn, Director of the Congenital Heart Program at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s and a Mending Kids board member and Dr. Salvatore Agati, Director of Congenital Heart Surgery at Bambino Gesù’s Mediterranean Center in Sicily. The mission delivered life-saving care, hand in hand with the team from Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, for children with complex heart defects.
Patients ranged in age from just 1 month to 17 years, with diagnoses including Tetralogy of Fallot, Transposition of the Great Arteries, and Truncus Arteriosus. While Dr. Agati’s surgical team operated in the OR, Dr. Zahn’s U.S. team completed 17 procedures in the Cath Lab. A pediatric cardiologist from Cameroon also joined the team on-site to observe and engage in knowledge sharing.
From May 12 to 17, a powerful dual-team effort unfolded in Tanzania. Led by Dr. Evan Zahn, Director of the Congenital Heart Program at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s and a Mending Kids board member and Dr. Salvatore Agati, Director of Congenital Heart Surgery at Bambino Gesù’s Mediterranean Center in Sicily. The mission delivered life-saving care, hand in hand with the team from Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, for children with complex heart defects.
Patients ranged in age from just 1 month to 17 years, with diagnoses including Tetralogy of Fallot, Transposition of the Great Arteries, and Truncus Arteriosus. While Dr. Agati’s surgical team operated in the OR, Dr. Zahn’s U.S. team completed 17 procedures in the Cath Lab. A pediatric cardiologist from Cameroon also joined the team on-site to observe and engage in knowledge sharing.
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In addition to this, pediatric cardiologists from three Tanzanian hospitals received hands-on training in Balloon Atrial Septostomy, a critical emergency intervention for newborns with Transposition of the Great Arteries. Thanks to the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, participating hospitals received donated balloons, helping ensure that this life-saving procedure doesn’t stop with us.
Because mending isn’t just about what we do during a mission. It’s about what continues long after we leave.
Since 2015, Mending Kids has helped nearly 340 children in Tanzania access specialized cardiac care. This mission reaffirmed what’s possible when expertise, compassion, and collaboration come together.
Because mending isn’t just about what we do during a mission. It’s about what continues long after we leave.
Since 2015, Mending Kids has helped nearly 340 children in Tanzania access specialized cardiac care. This mission reaffirmed what’s possible when expertise, compassion, and collaboration come together.
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Just days later, from May 19 to 21, Mending Kids sponsored and led an extraordinary East Africa colorectal training course in Uganda, spearheaded by Dr. Jason Frischer, Director of the Colorectal Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and a dedicated Mending Kids board member.
Hosted in collaboration with local healthcare institutions, the training brought together pediatric surgeons and surgical nurses from across the continent, including participants from Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, and more. Over three intensive days, participants received in-depth instruction in treating complex colorectal conditions, expanding both their technical skills and their capacity to serve children in their home countries.
Hosted in collaboration with local healthcare institutions, the training brought together pediatric surgeons and surgical nurses from across the continent, including participants from Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, and more. Over three intensive days, participants received in-depth instruction in treating complex colorectal conditions, expanding both their technical skills and their capacity to serve children in their home countries.
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The impact of this training extends far beyond Uganda. By supporting local teams with knowledge, and techniques, more children across Africa will have access to the specialized care they need, long after our team has left.
From healing young hearts in Tanzania to strengthening colorectal care in Uganda, May 2025 was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when missions meet momentum. We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, partners, and in-kind donors for making all this work possible.
Because of you, hope lives on, in every child treated, every professional trained, and every future made brighter
From healing young hearts in Tanzania to strengthening colorectal care in Uganda, May 2025 was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when missions meet momentum. We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, partners, and in-kind donors for making all this work possible.
Because of you, hope lives on, in every child treated, every professional trained, and every future made brighter
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Dear Friends,
Today, I want to share some bittersweet news with you.
After over 12 years of extraordinary service, Chaoyi Liu, our beloved Operations Manager, will be moving on to her next professional chapter.
Chaoyi first joined Mending Kids as an intern, and we were proud to be her first professional opportunity. Since then, she’s grown alongside the organization, becoming the steady, trusted hand behind so much of what we do. Over the years, she’s helped us navigate countless time-sensitive, complex decisions with calm, clarity, and an unshakable commitment to our mission.
It’s been one of the great privileges of my time as Executive Director to work so closely with Chaoyi — especially as we stepped into a new chapter together after the tenure of two previous executive directors. In the years that followed, we helped build a stronger, more resilient Mending Kids — and a team that carries that spirit forward.
This is also a proud, full-circle moment. From intern to Operations Manager, her path reflects the kind of growth we love to see and fully encourage. And while saying goodbye is hard, we couldn’t be more excited to see her take flight.
Although she’ll no longer be part of the day-to-day operations, she will always be part of our Mending Kids family — just as so many of you are.
I’m proud of the relationship we’ve built over the years, and deeply grateful for the example she’s set: one of loyalty, heart, and tireless dedication.
Please join me in thanking Chaoyi and wishing her the very best in what comes next — and in celebrating the incredible legacy she leaves behind.
With gratitude,
Isabelle Fox
Executive Director, Mending Kids
P.S. If you’d like to send Chaoyi a personal note or well wishes, you’re welcome to email us at [[email protected]] — we’ll be sure to pass it along.
Today, I want to share some bittersweet news with you.
After over 12 years of extraordinary service, Chaoyi Liu, our beloved Operations Manager, will be moving on to her next professional chapter.
Chaoyi first joined Mending Kids as an intern, and we were proud to be her first professional opportunity. Since then, she’s grown alongside the organization, becoming the steady, trusted hand behind so much of what we do. Over the years, she’s helped us navigate countless time-sensitive, complex decisions with calm, clarity, and an unshakable commitment to our mission.
It’s been one of the great privileges of my time as Executive Director to work so closely with Chaoyi — especially as we stepped into a new chapter together after the tenure of two previous executive directors. In the years that followed, we helped build a stronger, more resilient Mending Kids — and a team that carries that spirit forward.
This is also a proud, full-circle moment. From intern to Operations Manager, her path reflects the kind of growth we love to see and fully encourage. And while saying goodbye is hard, we couldn’t be more excited to see her take flight.
Although she’ll no longer be part of the day-to-day operations, she will always be part of our Mending Kids family — just as so many of you are.
I’m proud of the relationship we’ve built over the years, and deeply grateful for the example she’s set: one of loyalty, heart, and tireless dedication.
Please join me in thanking Chaoyi and wishing her the very best in what comes next — and in celebrating the incredible legacy she leaves behind.
With gratitude,
Isabelle Fox
Executive Director, Mending Kids
P.S. If you’d like to send Chaoyi a personal note or well wishes, you’re welcome to email us at [[email protected]] — we’ll be sure to pass it along.
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There’s something extraordinary about a mother’s hands. They hold, soothe, protect, and guide. From the very first breath to the gentle, brave embrace after surgery, a mother’s hands are there — steady, strong, and full of love.
This Mother’s Day, Mending Kids is celebrating the hands behind every healed scar and every second chance: the mothers who have held their children through pain and into recovery. Whether in a hospital ward, a village clinic, or a quiet bedroom at home, these hands do the work of love, even when they’re trembling with fear.
But they don’t do it alone.
Because of your support, those same hands are now holding healthy, thriving children — kids who have received life-saving surgeries and critical care through Mending Kids. When you give, you’re not just funding medical procedures — you’re placing tools, hope, and healing in the hands of mothers all over the world.
This Mother's Day, honor the mothers and mother-figures in your life.
Make a donation that gives the gift of healing — or, shop with heart. For a limited time, purchases through our Kendra Scott Giveback partnership will help fund more life-saving surgeries for children around the world. Use code GIVEBACK-JJFJY at checkout to ensure a portion of your purchase supports Mending Kids.
Whether through a tribute gift or a meaningful purchase, your kindness helps more mothers keep holding on.
To all the Mending Kids' Mothers — thank you.
This Mother’s Day, Mending Kids is celebrating the hands behind every healed scar and every second chance: the mothers who have held their children through pain and into recovery. Whether in a hospital ward, a village clinic, or a quiet bedroom at home, these hands do the work of love, even when they’re trembling with fear.
But they don’t do it alone.
Because of your support, those same hands are now holding healthy, thriving children — kids who have received life-saving surgeries and critical care through Mending Kids. When you give, you’re not just funding medical procedures — you’re placing tools, hope, and healing in the hands of mothers all over the world.
This Mother's Day, honor the mothers and mother-figures in your life.
Make a donation that gives the gift of healing — or, shop with heart. For a limited time, purchases through our Kendra Scott Giveback partnership will help fund more life-saving surgeries for children around the world. Use code GIVEBACK-JJFJY at checkout to ensure a portion of your purchase supports Mending Kids.
Whether through a tribute gift or a meaningful purchase, your kindness helps more mothers keep holding on.
To all the Mending Kids' Mothers — thank you.
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Mending Kids recently returned from our inaugural colorectal mission to Asunción, Paraguay, led by Dr. Jason Frischer from the Colorectal Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. During this impactful week, the team screened 37 children, ultimately performing 16 surgeries and completing 43 radiology imaging studies.
Two stories in particular stood out to Dr. Frischer, reminding us of the importance and urgency of our mission:
Two stories in particular stood out to Dr. Frischer, reminding us of the importance and urgency of our mission:
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We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jason Frischer for his extraordinary leadership, skill, and compassion throughout the mission, and his team for volunteering their time and expertise. Their dedication to improving children's lives continues to inspire us all. We are now preparing for our upcoming May cardiac mission to Tanzania with Dr. Evan Zahn from Guerin Children’s - Cedars Sinai, where we plan to mend even more children in need.
Thank you for being part of the Mending Kids family.
Thank you for being part of the Mending Kids family.
March was a month filled with extraordinary impact for Mending Kids. We're still riding the wave of gratitude from our Imagine Gala, where we came together to celebrate the lives we’ve touched over the past two decades—and the incredible journey ahead. We have an inspiring year to come (more on that below), and we’re humbled to have completed four significant surgical missions in March--changing over 115 lives and advancing medical education in lasting ways.
Our recent trip to Guatemala packed a powerful one-two punch: first, with a groundbreaking training in Guatemala City focused on pediatric cardiac care; and shortly after, with an ENT surgical mission that brought healing to 90 children. Together, these efforts didn’t just address urgent needs—they planted seeds for sustainable, long-term impact.
Our recent trip to Guatemala packed a powerful one-two punch: first, with a groundbreaking training in Guatemala City focused on pediatric cardiac care; and shortly after, with an ENT surgical mission that brought healing to 90 children. Together, these efforts didn’t just address urgent needs—they planted seeds for sustainable, long-term impact.
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Breaking from tradition, our mission to Guatemala City wasn’t just about performing surgeries—it was about changing the future of pediatric care. Led by the brilliant Dr. Jenny Zablah of Colorado Children’s Hospital, this two-day training focused on Balloon Atrial Septostomy—a procedure that can mean the difference between life and death for newborns with Transposition of the Great Arteries.
Twenty dedicated medical professionals—from cardiologists to ICU nurses—gathered to learn, engage, and collaborate in hands-on simulations. The energy in the room was electric: questions flowed, ideas were exchanged, and skills were shared that will go on to save countless lives.
Twenty dedicated medical professionals—from cardiologists to ICU nurses—gathered to learn, engage, and collaborate in hands-on simulations. The energy in the room was electric: questions flowed, ideas were exchanged, and skills were shared that will go on to save countless lives.
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Shortly after the training, our team launched an ENT surgical mission in Guatemala, led by MEND Award Honoree Dr. Namrata Varma. In just five days, our medical volunteers operated on 90 children, giving them the gift of better health, clearer breathing, and brighter futures. Each procedure was a turning point, reminding us again that access to care is not a privilege—it’s a right.
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In addition to Guatemala we had two successful cardiac missions in the Philippines - one in Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center in Albay, Philippines led by Dr. Alex Chan and the second in Llocos Norte led by Dr. Jetz Marion Cruz from Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. With our shared partnership with the Philippine Heart Center we mended 27 hearts!
We are always looking for non-medical volunteers to join us on missions. It’s a transformative experience—to see and make a difference firsthand.
We are always looking for non-medical volunteers to join us on missions. It’s a transformative experience—to see and make a difference firsthand.
None of this is possible without you. Your generosity and belief in our mission allows us to bring healing where there was once only hope. Every surgery, every moment of relief a child experiences—stems from a community that refuses to let borders or circumstances define a child’s access to care.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to sharing more stories of transformation, resilience, and hope in the months ahead. It’s going to be a busy 2025.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to sharing more stories of transformation, resilience, and hope in the months ahead. It’s going to be a busy 2025.
With gratitude,
The Mending Kids Team
The Mending Kids Team
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Last Thursday night, we celebrated our 20th year of Mending Kids—and thanks to you, it was nothing short of extraordinary.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, bid generously, gave from the heart, and believed in our mission. Because of your kindness and commitment, the ripple effect of this unforgettable night will be felt at home, and around the world. In the coming year, hundreds of children will receive life-saving surgical care—all sparked by your presence, your giving, and your belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, bid generously, gave from the heart, and believed in our mission. Because of your kindness and commitment, the ripple effect of this unforgettable night will be felt at home, and around the world. In the coming year, hundreds of children will receive life-saving surgical care—all sparked by your presence, your giving, and your belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive.
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We were honored to recognize:
- The incredible Birrhanu Nicol, recipient of the Hope Award, whose story reminds us of the strength and resilience we see in the children we serve.
- Bear Givers, with the Love Award, for their dedication to comforting thousands of children with their heartfelt gifts of teddy bears.
- Dr. Namrata Varma and the Guatemala Team, recipients of the Mend Award, who have provided over 900 life-changing surgeries over the past decade.
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A very special thank-you to our amazing hostess and Mending Kids ambassador, Tia Carrere, for leading the evening with such grace, warmth, and heart—and to our passionate auctioneer, Ken Shirey, for inspiring the room and leading the charge in raising critical funds to support our mission.
The evening overflowed with love, inspiration, and a shared vision of what’s possible when we come together. You came. You bid. You mended.
The evening overflowed with love, inspiration, and a shared vision of what’s possible when we come together. You came. You bid. You mended.
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Please don’t forget to follow, share, and tag us on social media: @MendingKids. From all of us at Mending Kids —thank you for making this Imagine Gala one for the books. We can’t wait to celebrate with you again next year as we continue to mend children and build a future full of hope.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Mending Kids Team
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Mending Kids Team
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Your presence will be missed at tonight’s Imagine Gala, but your support can still transform lives! The online auction closes at 8 PM Pacific Time, and there's still time to bid on exclusive items to help children receive life-saving surgical care!
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Another way to support our mission is by mending a child with a donation. Every contribution makes a difference.
Dear Friends,
The wait is over--our online auction is officially live! You can now bid on an exciting array of items and experiences, all while supporting Mending Kids’ mission to provide life-saving surgeries to children in need.
This special auction is part of our 20th Anniversary Imagine Gala, this Thursday, March 20th, at the beautiful Skirball Cultural Center. Whether you’re attending in person or joining us virtually, your participation makes a difference.
The online auction offers a unique selection of items for remote bidding, while more and different items will be available exclusively in person at our silent and live auction on Thursday. If you don’t see something you like, you can still make a direct gift through donations and help us mend a child.
The online auction will close on Thursday, March 20th, at 8:00 PM, so don’t wait—place your bids today and help us continue mending kids around the world. Thank you for being part of this milestone year. Every bid brings us closer to providing the care and healing these children deserve.
Together, we are mending kids.
The wait is over--our online auction is officially live! You can now bid on an exciting array of items and experiences, all while supporting Mending Kids’ mission to provide life-saving surgeries to children in need.
This special auction is part of our 20th Anniversary Imagine Gala, this Thursday, March 20th, at the beautiful Skirball Cultural Center. Whether you’re attending in person or joining us virtually, your participation makes a difference.
The online auction offers a unique selection of items for remote bidding, while more and different items will be available exclusively in person at our silent and live auction on Thursday. If you don’t see something you like, you can still make a direct gift through donations and help us mend a child.
The online auction will close on Thursday, March 20th, at 8:00 PM, so don’t wait—place your bids today and help us continue mending kids around the world. Thank you for being part of this milestone year. Every bid brings us closer to providing the care and healing these children deserve.
Together, we are mending kids.
special thanks to our sponsors:
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