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Stories and updates from our team

Join Us!

9/18/2024

 
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Dear Friends,
 
Join us, THIS SATURDAY - September 21st when we come together at Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyon in Agoura Hills, CA to hike, connect, and raise awareness for the obstacles parents go through to bring their children to life-saving surgical care.
 
Every step you take on this hike is a step toward providing hope and healing to a child in need.

Date: Saturday, September 21st, 2024
Time: 8:00am-11:00am
Location: 5792 Chesebro Rd., Agoura Hills, CA, 91301
Registration: Free and family-friendly. Pets are welcome!

Register Today
Mend a Child
Even if you can’t make it in person, you can still support Hike 2 Mend by donating or sponsoring a hiker. Every contribution helps bring us closer to our goal of transforming lives.
 
We can’t wait to see you on the trail!

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

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Come to Hike 2 Mend and meet former volunteers and hear firsthand. If you’d like to learn more or are ready to volunteer, click here. 

Lace Up for Hike 2 Mend!

9/13/2024

 
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Dear Friends,
 
We’re just 8 days away from our much-anticipated annual Hike 2 Mend event! On Saturday, September 21st we’ll come together at Cheeseboro Canyon Park in Agoura Hills, CA to hike, connect, and raise awareness for the obstacles parents take to bring their children to life-saving care.
 
Whether you’ve already signed up or are still thinking about it, this is your friendly reminder to join us for an unforgettable morning of adventure and purpose! Every step you take on this hike is a step toward providing hope and healing to a child in need.

Date: Saturday, September 21st, 2024
Time: 8:00am-11:00am
Location: 5792 Chesebro Rd., Agoura Hills, CA, 91301
Registration: Free and family-friendly. Pets are welcome!

Register Now
Mend a Child
Even if you can’t make it in person, you can still support Hike 2 Mend by donating or sponsoring a hiker. Every contribution helps bring us closer to our goal of transforming lives.
 
We can’t wait to see you on the trail!
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​SPECIAL THANKS TO:

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In addition to Hike 2 Mend, we’re also gearing up for our upcoming medical missions — and we’re looking for non-medical volunteers to help us make these missions a success. This is a life-changing experience, during which you will have the opportunity to help comfort patients and their families, and explore a different culture.
 
Upcoming Missions:
  • Nicaragua - Cardiac (Oct 20-25, 2024)
  • Mauritius - Cardiac (Nov 11-15, 2024)
  • Cambodia - Orthopedic (Nov 18-23, 2024)
Join us on a Mission

Meet Our Board Member: Dorothy Lucey

9/3/2024

 
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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.
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​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.
Help us Mend Kids like Sandra
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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
​a chance to hike and draw awareness for health equity!

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Register for Free!

badru goes back to school

8/21/2024

 
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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.

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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.

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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.
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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
Help us Mend Kids like Badru

save the date - 09.21.2024

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Register for Free

Together, we are mending kids!

Save the Date - Hike 2 Mend

8/8/2024

 
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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.

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.
Register Today
Mend a Child
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!

A Journey of Hope: Daniella's Story of Healing and Miracles

8/1/2024

 
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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.
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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. 
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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.
Mend a Child

A Smashing Success at Our First Pickleball Tournament!

7/23/2024

 
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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!
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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.

​OUR HEARTFELT THANKS GOES OUT TO

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Thank you for your Dink-credible support. Check out the album below.
Pickle for a purpose photo album

As we prepare for upcoming surgical mission trips, we have opportunities for non-medical volunteers for the following programs

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Volunteer on a Mission
Mend a Child

Last Chance to Sign Up is Today!

7/12/2024

 
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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!
Register Today

​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:
  • 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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Join us on July 20!

7/10/2024

 
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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.

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

Let's Pickle for a Purpose!
What to Expect:
  • 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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Save the date | Pickle for a purpose

6/26/2024

 
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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!

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

Register Today!
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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Mailing Address:
Mending Kids
​21255 Burbank Blvd, Ste 120
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
​General Inquiry:
Phone: 818-843-6363
​Email: [email protected]
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2023 Annual Report
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File Type: pdf
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2023 Tax Return
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2023 Audited Financials
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2022 Tax Return
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2022 Audited Financials
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Mending Kids is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization registered in California, United States of America.  
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    • Refer a patient
    • Volunteer
    • Fundraise
    • Become a Monthly Donor
    • Our Shop
  • Programs
    • Hometown Mission
    • Overseas Mission Trips >
      • Armenia Mission
      • Guatemala Ear Nose & Throat
      • Nicaragua ​Interventional Cardiology
      • Paraguay ARM
      • Peru Mission
      • Philippine Regional Cardiac Missions
      • Tanzania ARM
      • Tanzania Cardiac
      • Tanzania ENT
      • MISSION Q&A
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