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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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:
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. 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.
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.
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.
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. 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. With gratitude,
The Mending Kids Team
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.
We were honored to recognize:
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.
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
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!
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. special thanks to our sponsors:
We are just two weeks away from the Mending Kids Imagine Gala on Thursday, March 20—a milestone evening celebrating two decades of transforming lives. This year’s theme, The Snowball Effect, celebrates how our collective efforts have transformed a single seed of compassion into a flourishing wave of change. Whether you buy a ticket, sponsor, pay tribute, or make a donation, your support helps us grow a movement that continues to impact thousands of lives. A portion of the funds raised will support a Hometown Mission this year to help special needs patients move off a waitlist to receive dental surgery. *Tickets and table prices increase on Friday, March 7 Our Program
We are thrilled to honor Bear Givers and five of their Board Members, Joseph Sprung, Diane Lempert, Michele Mirman, Barbara Firestone and Richard Fink with the Love Award for their support and dedication to Mending Kids over the years. Their longstanding partnership has been instrumental in providing our mended kids with the comforting teddy bears that become cherished companions during their recovery. MEND AWARD: DR. NAMRATA VARMA & THE GUATEMALA TEAM
Dr. Namrata Varma & the Guatemala Team have been loyal partners in our mission, leading annual missions to Guatemala since 2015. Their remarkable dedication is reflected in their status as our most prolific surgical team, having performed over 800 surgeries on children in need. HOPE AWARD: BIRRHANU NICOL
Hope is the spark that fuels resilience and transformation, and our former patient and 2025 Hope Award honoree, Birrhanu is a wonderful embodiment of this. OUR HOST FOR THE EVENING: |
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Longtime Mending Kids ambassador Tia Carrere is an accomplished actress as well as a two-time Grammy award-winning musical artist.
GALA AGENDA
6:30 PM - Cocktails & Silent Auction
8:00 PM - Dinner & Program
8:00 PM - Dinner & Program
Your investment has a lasting impact, improving the health, education, and opportunities of children, which can transform their way of life. Invest in their future, and together, let's make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of children in need.
For more details on how you can participate, visit our website to learn more about ticket information and sponsorship opportunities.
For more details on how you can participate, visit our website to learn more about ticket information and sponsorship opportunities.
Special thanks to:
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Join Us in Celebrating our 20th Year of Transforming Lives!
As we count down to our Imagine Gala on March 20, we are thrilled to honor Birrhanu Nicol, this year’s Hope Award recipient.
As we count down to our Imagine Gala on March 20, we are thrilled to honor Birrhanu Nicol, this year’s Hope Award recipient.
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At just five years old, Birrhanu faced challenges that led him to Mending Kids, where a life-changing surgery gave him new opportunities. Now a university student in Scotland, his journey is a testament to resilience and the power of community support.
We are excited to welcome Birrhanu back, alongside Dr. David Skaggs, the surgeon who helped transform his future. This is a rare opportunity for those who knew him then to reconnect and celebrate the remarkable person he has become.
This year’s Imagine Gala marks 20 years of impact, changing lives like Birrhanu’s. Be part of this inspiring evening as we continue to provide hope and healing to children in need. A portion of the proceeds will directly support a local Hometown Mission, ensuring children in our community receive the critical medical care they deserve.
Stay tuned as we introduce our next honorees in the coming weeks!
We are excited to welcome Birrhanu back, alongside Dr. David Skaggs, the surgeon who helped transform his future. This is a rare opportunity for those who knew him then to reconnect and celebrate the remarkable person he has become.
This year’s Imagine Gala marks 20 years of impact, changing lives like Birrhanu’s. Be part of this inspiring evening as we continue to provide hope and healing to children in need. A portion of the proceeds will directly support a local Hometown Mission, ensuring children in our community receive the critical medical care they deserve.
Stay tuned as we introduce our next honorees in the coming weeks!
