Twenty years ago today, we became a federally recognized nonprofit. What began by bringing one child at a time to the US for critical surgical care has grown into 210 missions deployed, reaching children from 78 countries and directly touching the lives of nearly 6,000 kids, and indirectly so many more. What is immeasurable is the number of lives affected by the time spent working hand in hand with our partners globally and their determination to build capacity and keep going long after a mission ends. We cannot thank our medical teams, volunteers, and donors enough, who give their time, talent, trust, and resources to carry this mission forward. Little by little, one child, one procedure, one mission at a time, a little becomes a lot. In the words of Arthur Ashe, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Twenty years later, thanks to you, we are still climbing. Together, we are mending kids. Isabelle Fox Executive Director save the date - 03.21.2026
As we pause and catch our breath heading into our most reflective holiday, I’m reminded that somehow, through all the curveballs this year has thrown at us, we’re still here, still showing up for one another, and still fighting for our kids. Our community has been through a lot. Many of you have weathered personal hurdles, and the children we serve continue to push past impossible odds just to access care.
And yet, through all of it, hope has a way of resurfacing. One child at a time, one surgery at a time, one small victory that slowly turns into a brighter future. This is what we’re thankful for today. The chance to wake up tomorrow knowing another child will get the care they need because you held us up and kept them in your hearts. Thank you for being part of this work in such a real and steady way. For caring, for believing, and for lifting our kids toward healthier tomorrows. “We rise by lifting others.” Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving. With Gratitude, Isabelle Fox Executive Director P.S. Giving Tuesday is right around the corner. If you’re planning to take part, we hope you’ll keep our kids in mind.
Last Saturday, over forty medical volunteers, staff, and board members showed up to provide our first Hometown Dental Surgery Mission for patients with special needs who required full sedation to be treated. This was our tenth hometown mission and our first dental surgery mission. We returned to the MemorialCare Outpatient Surgery Center, which opened its doors to our team. The focus was on special needs patients who had sensory issues, some handicapped, some nonverbal, some wheelchair bound. Some had never received a dental exam, some had waited seven years, and some had aged out. All were championed by their loving families who came from Fresno, Bakersfield, the Inland Empire, Oxnard, and Los Angeles to receive the care. There is nothing spontaneous about getting the patient population we served last Saturday. Between the distances traveled, the multitudes of medications that had to be timed to keep them stable, and braving the rain, it was like threading a needle from fifty feet away. Nevertheless, what a mission it was. Beyond the dedication of this enormous dental team and the grace of the surgical center, we have to thank the California Dental Association for providing the portable equipment, and XDR Radiology for the loan of the technology that allowed us to operate portable X-ray machines to screen dental needs. To Dr Willner for providing all the patients with additional ear, nose, and throat exams, to the nurses and all who participated to give these patients as many services as possible, it was an enormous feat, especially not knowing what would present itself.
Under general anesthesia, the team provided thorough dental exams, a full mouth set of radiographs, thorough cleanings, thirty-six fillings, eleven extractions, phlebotomy services, ear exams, and cleaning for seven patients, a laryngoscopy, and a bronchoscopy for one patient. These numbers represent real people, individuals, and families who have been waiting for care and support. The help provided prevented countless tooth losses, alleviated suffering, and brought joy to those in need. This mission was especially meaningful. These were special needs patients who had been waiting years for care, many of whom had aged out of other options, and to see them finally receive the treatment they needed was powerful for everyone involved. As we head into Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for everyone who made this possible. Our donors, foundations, partner companies, medical volunteers, and this entire community came together so these kids would not have to keep waiting in pain. We hope to do this again soon, and if you are moved to support a future hometown mission or help mend a child, this is the moment to make a real difference. Wishing you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving. With gratitude, Isabelle Fox Executive Director save the date - 03.21.2026
Former refugees and their children return to Vietnam to provide life-changing surgeries for kids in need. Last month, a Mending Kids team led by general surgeon Dr. Nam Nguyen of Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach departed Los Angeles for Nha Trang, Vietnam on a general and urology mission to provide critical surgical care to underserved children and to share knowledge with local surgeons. The mission was coordinated by Mending Kids, with the invaluable support of Dr. Uyen Tran, an anesthesiologist whose outreach helped rally local partners and make this effort possible. At this time, most specialized pediatric care in Vietnam remains centered in Saigon. While the government covers care for children up to age seven, the three-hour flight—or even longer bus ride—to the capital, and the cost of staying there—make treatment out of reach for many families in the region. Without our team’s presence, several of these children would have been sent away, unable to receive the care they needed. This mission was especially meaningful. The team, made up of former refugees and children of refugees, returned to uplift a community they had not seen in decades—fifty years after the fall of Saigon.
In just one week, the team screened 26 children and mended 16, providing life-saving and life-changing surgeries for some of the most vulnerable. Beyond the care delivered, the team also spent time mentoring local doctors and nurses, strengthening the skills that will continue to serve children long after their departure. Unlike many organizations, Mending Kids relies primarily on individual donors and small grants. Yet, as word spread about this team and its story, members of the Vietnamese diaspora and friends of the doctors came together, funding and supplying much of the effort themselves. To our steadfast supporters—and to the new friends who joined us on this journey—thank you for believing in these children and helping us make their lives matter. And to the dedicated team that poured their hearts, skill, and sweat into giving back to a community they longed to serve again, we have much respect. Save the date - 03.21.2026
This fall, we’re proud to share that Dr. Jason Frischer has been named Surgeon-in-Chief and Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Le Bonheur Children’s and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Jason has been part of the Mending Kids family for 12 years and has served on our board for 8. Our Executive Director, Isabelle Fox, met Jason at a small airport in northern Tanzania, as he was lugging a rolling suitcase filled with Pringles and Ramen (he was worried he would have nothing to eat). We proved him wrong, and since then, his commitment to our mission has run deep, and his impact has been felt across the globe. Dr. Frischer's dedication, leadership, and heart have shaped so much of what we do. We're incredibly proud of his new role at Le Bonheur and grateful for his continued service to Mending Kids.
Get to know Dr. FrischerHow did you get involved with Mending Kids? A Google search. Missions you’ve joined: Tanzania and Paraguay. Every single mission and patient is memorable. The most impactful part of being involved with Mending Kids: The impact. It is direct, immediate, and palpable. Your idea of happiness: Being in the thick of a mission and knowing what’s happening has immense meaning. Bucket list: Happiness for all. Three dinner guests, past, present, or future: Robert Gross, Derek Jeter, Abraham Lincoln. A phrase you overuse: Do the right thing. Read more about his new position here and why we are so grateful to have him in our Mending Kids Family.
Dear Friend, Thank you for showing up and supporting Hike 2 Mend last Saturday, and a special thanks to the Conrad Family for generously sponsoring the day. Your presence and energy turned every mile into real impact. Because of you, funds raised at the hike will directly support life-changing missions in the coming weeks. Our surgical teams are heading to Armenia, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Uganda, and Mauritius, and we’re also preparing for our Hometown Mission in November. Please keep the children we serve in your thoughts. Every step you take helps a child take their next one.
What's next?1. Jeni’s Ice Cream Social We hope you will join us on Thursday, October 9 at Jeni’s Ice Creams for an evening of community and sweet treats. It is a great way to connect, celebrate, and continue supporting the children we serve.
2. October Missions
This month, our volunteer medical teams will travel to Vietnam, Armenia, and Nicaragua to provide life-changing and life-saving surgeries for children who would otherwise go without care. Your support makes these missions possible and gives every child a real chance at health and a future.
Friends, The wait is almost over. Hike 2 Mend is this Saturday, September 27! Every step and every share is a shout-out to support health equity and helps kids get the surgical care they need. We’ll hike to honor the long journeys parents everywhere make to reach life-saving treatment and to raise awareness of global health disparities. Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025 |
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In just a few short weeks, we’ll come together for Hike 2 Mend to honor patients like Daniella who travel across continents to access life-saving care and return home with dreams of their own.
Over a year ago, Daniella returned home to Malawi after undergoing heart surgery in Milan, made possible through Mending Kids and our partners at Mission Bambini. While she still has procedures ahead of her, today, she is enrolled at Lilongwe University, pursuing her dream of becoming a journalist.
Her journey to gain access to lifesaving care reminds us of the lengths children and families go through to access care — and why we walk.
Over a year ago, Daniella returned home to Malawi after undergoing heart surgery in Milan, made possible through Mending Kids and our partners at Mission Bambini. While she still has procedures ahead of her, today, she is enrolled at Lilongwe University, pursuing her dream of becoming a journalist.
Her journey to gain access to lifesaving care reminds us of the lengths children and families go through to access care — and why we walk.
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Join us on September 27 in Agoura Hills for a family-friendly, pet-friendly hike open to all abilities. Together, we’ll raise awareness and support so more young people like Daniella can heal, grow, and chase their futures.
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You are invited to join us on September 27 for our 7th annual Hike 2 Mend, a free, family and pet friendly morning in nature where every mile walked helps a child receive life-saving surgery.
Last year, our hikers helped fund the heart surgeries for 15 children, who might not have made it otherwise. This year, we can do even more together.
Last year, our hikers helped fund the heart surgeries for 15 children, who might not have made it otherwise. This year, we can do even more together.
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location: Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyon
(5792 Chesebro Rd., Agoura Hills, CA, 91301)
Whether you are up for a brisk hike or a relaxed stroll, Hike 2 Mend is for everyone. Every dollar raised and every step you take brings us closer to another child’s surgery.
Cannot join us in person?
- Donate to support life-saving surgeries
- Ask friends or family to sponsor your hike
- Take a hike on September 27, snap a photo, and post it to @mendingkids so we can cheer you on
Cannot join us in person?
- Donate to support life-saving surgeries
- Ask friends or family to sponsor your hike
- Take a hike on September 27, snap a photo, and post it to @mendingkids so we can cheer you on
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Missions come in all shapes and sizes.
This two-day effort in El Salvador wasn’t on our calendar. But when one of our patients needed urgent care to buy her more time, Dr. Jenny Zablah and a team from Children’s Hospital Colorado stepped in — and ended up mending four more hearts while they were there.
In 2023, advocates reached out to us about a young girl named Keyla who needed life-saving surgery. She was in El Salvador, and we were asked to bring her to the U.S. for treatment. Despite our best efforts, no hospital would take her case. It was considered too complex and possibly inoperable, and the imaging we had wasn’t conclusive.
Thanks to the support of Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, we traveled to El Salvador last fall for an atrioseptostomy training, we saw an opportunity, and we reached out to Keyla's mother to bring her in. We had a rare window to perform a diagnostic cath, a procedure that could finally show us whether we had a path forward.
Her mother hesitated. For years, she’d been told that there was no hope. Now, suddenly, a team was offering a procedure. She was scared. The family hadn’t had the chance to say goodbye in case something went wrong.
We committed to coming back. Keyla was deeply cyanotic — visibly blue. Every week that passed increased the risk.
This two-day effort in El Salvador wasn’t on our calendar. But when one of our patients needed urgent care to buy her more time, Dr. Jenny Zablah and a team from Children’s Hospital Colorado stepped in — and ended up mending four more hearts while they were there.
In 2023, advocates reached out to us about a young girl named Keyla who needed life-saving surgery. She was in El Salvador, and we were asked to bring her to the U.S. for treatment. Despite our best efforts, no hospital would take her case. It was considered too complex and possibly inoperable, and the imaging we had wasn’t conclusive.
Thanks to the support of Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, we traveled to El Salvador last fall for an atrioseptostomy training, we saw an opportunity, and we reached out to Keyla's mother to bring her in. We had a rare window to perform a diagnostic cath, a procedure that could finally show us whether we had a path forward.
Her mother hesitated. For years, she’d been told that there was no hope. Now, suddenly, a team was offering a procedure. She was scared. The family hadn’t had the chance to say goodbye in case something went wrong.
We committed to coming back. Keyla was deeply cyanotic — visibly blue. Every week that passed increased the risk.
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In June, Dr. Zablah and two colleagues from Colorado flew down for a 3-day mission focused on helping Keyla. And while there, they helped four more children with urgent cardiac needs. Today, Keyla's lips are pink. She has more energy. In a year, we'll see how her body has adapted and what more can be done for this little girl we're all rooting for.
Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the smallest windows of opportunity.
Monthly donors give us the flexibility to step in when it matters most. Don't underestimate the power of a modest, consistent gift — it can save a child's life.
Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the smallest windows of opportunity.
Monthly donors give us the flexibility to step in when it matters most. Don't underestimate the power of a modest, consistent gift — it can save a child's life.
