Our Mission
The mission of
Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation is to transform the lives of disadvantaged infants, children, and teens suffering from physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse, or disease through the gift of reconstructive surgery and related healthcare services.
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A Message from our Chicago Regional Director
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I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your support in making Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation's first year of existence a success. Since June 2014, Fresh Start Caring For Kids has provided no-cost reconstructive surgeries at the University of Chicago Medicine's Comer Children's Hospital to 24 disadvantaged children who had physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse, or disease. It is because of supporters like YOU that we were able to provide much-needed surgeries and "fresh starts" to children in need. Due to the generosity of our medical professionals and partners, $695,033.16 has been provided in donated medical care since last June. Our first year of success would not have been possible without our partners (Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, The Plastic Surgery Foundation, and UCMC's Comer Children's Hospital); our faithful and generous volunteers; our generous Surgery Weekend food sponsors (Corner Bakery Cafe and A10); our financial supporters; and last, but not least, the parents and guardians who entrusted us with the care of their children. Words cannot fully express my gratitude.
There is more rewarding work to be done! Please join me as we embark upon our second year of providing these much-needed services. This will be one of the most amazing experiences in which you will ever partake. Transforming lives, one surgery at a time---What could be more fulfilling than that? As you read the articles contained in this and future correspondence from Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation, it is my hope that our mission continues to resonate with you. Rest assured that your contributions (be them time, financial, or both) are immensely appreciated. On behalf of the children we serve, thank you for your support.
Please visit our website (www.freshstartkids.org). Remember to "like" us on Facebook (Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation) and follow us on Twitter (@FreshStartKids).
Sincerely,
Utica J. Gray, PhD, MSHSA, BA
Chicago Regional Director
Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation
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Join Us at Our Inaugural Celebrity Golf Classic - Hosted by Jermaine Dye
(
Chicago White Sox, 2005 World Series MVP)
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Here is a list of some us our celebrity friends who will be in attendance:
Jermaine Dye, Grant Fuhr, Eric Dickerson, Frank Thomas, Richard Dent
Alfonso Ribeiro, Mark Mulder, David Justice
Sterling Sharpe, Tim Brown, Ron Kittle, Dan Pasqua, Mike Huff,
Donn Pall, and more!
Tee Sponsorships are still available for only $1,000. Tee Sponsor benefits include the sponsorship of one hole, including signage; and one table for corporate promotion on the golf course at the Celebrity Golf Classic at The Beverly Country Club on August 31, 2015. There will be extensive media and promotional exposure (including live television and radio broadcasts from the golf course), which could prove to be beneficial to your business. Your sponsorship would be a charitable, tax-deductible contribution (as determined by law).
There are a total of 18 holes available for sponsorship. They will be sponsored on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional sponsorship and underwriting opportunities range in price from $2,500-$50,000. Detailed sponsorship, underwriting, golfer participation and pre-golf party ticket pricing, benefits, and purchasing information can be found at
http://celebrity-golf-classic.eventbrite.com.
Please contact
Utica J. Gray, PhD, Chicago Regional Director of Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation, at
Utica@freshstart.org
or (847) 513-3326 for more details about the event or to become a sponsor.
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Surgery Weekend Recap
June 2015
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The surgeries that were
performed included a Coupe de Sabre reconstruction, two second-stage cleft palate repairs, a second-stage ear reconstruction, and a breast reduction.
We are thrilled by the success of the surgeries performed and are very grateful to our volunteer medical team, support staff, and The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital for their support.
Special thanks to our food sponsors, Corner Bakery Cafe and A10. We greatly appreciate your generous donation of breakfast and lunch, respectively. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with you both during future Surgery Weekends.
Upcoming Surgery Weekend Date: October 24 - October 25, 2015
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Patient Spotlight: Mamadou
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Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation
would like to introduce, 11-year-old Mamadou. He is a very jovial boy, who enjoys spending time with friends and family. In addition, he is an avid reader and enjoys playing soccer, cycling, swimming, and skating.
At the age of 3, Mamadou's condition began with a ringworm on the crown of his head. As time passed, the ringworm increased in size. Worried and concerned about his health, Mamadou's family visited several hospitals to uncover a diagnosis and plan of action. At the age of 4, Mamadou was diagnosed as having a condition called, Coup de Sabre. The condition presents itself as an area of bald or thinning of the hair, which may be indented from mild to severe depth. Mamadou's condition appeared as a deformation, which caused him to be self-conscious and teased by his peers. Doctors suggested plastic surgery, but they were unsure about being able to reverse any damage caused by his condition. In addition, Mamadou's family was concerned about the cost of the surgery. Unfortunately, most insurance carriers do not cover the cost of reconstructive surgery. According to Mamadou's father, covering the costs of the surgery would have been tremendously difficult for the family.
In February 2015, Fresh Start was featured on WGN News. More specifically, the story focused on a former patient who suffered from a very similar condition, which gave the family hope. Mamadou's family immediately contacted Fresh Start for help. On June 6, 2015, Mamadou underwent surgery to repair the damage caused by his condition at no cost to the family. According to his family, the impact of the surgery was incredibly positive. Mamadou's father asserts, "As a parent, there is nothing you can do to stop the bullying from happening all the time, and it hurts the kids and parent emotionally." He continues, "If someone can help to repair it, this is a huge relief for the family of an affected kid."
Mamadou's family is incredibly grateful for having the opportunity to work with Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation. His father describes his experience with Fresh Start as "perfect". He credits the staff for being consistently helpful and communicative throughout the process. He asserts, "From the bottom of my heart, me and my family would like to say to Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation--- Because of you, Mamadou has a new, fresh start."
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Recap of Journey to Greece: A Culinary & Cultural Experience
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On Thursday, June 25, 2015, Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation hosted Journey to Greece: A Cultural & Culinary Experience at the National Hellenic Museum. Guests were able to explore the museum's exhibits, sample Greek cuisine, enjoy live Greek music, and mingle with patient families and other guests. Former patient, Tristan, shared with guests his very touching story about the ways in which Fresh Start positively impacted his life. Jermaine Dye (Chicago White Sox, 2005 World Series MVP) was in attendance to help celebrate Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation's one-year anniversary.
    
Thanks to our attendees, volunteers, OneBrick, and support staff. Special thanks to our event sponsors:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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| Are you an Amazon Shopper? Did you know that your shopping can support Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation? g  |
| Shop on AmazonSmile today, and support Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation at the same time!
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| Fresh Start Surgical Gifts (based in San Diego, California) has teamed up with The Plastic Surgery Foundation to create Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation in Chicago. The addition of the Chicago site is enabling the organization grow its patient base and outreach. Surgeries are performed three times per year at The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital.
Fresh Start Caring for Kids Foundation
c/o The Plastic Surgery Foundation
444 E. Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
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We are very grateful to all of our generous donors, sponsors, and volunteers! All of the overhead and administrative expenses for Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation are covered by Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and The Plastic Surgery Foundation, so that 100% of every donation directly benefits the medical needs of our patients.
Please contact Utica J. Gray, PhD, Chicago Regional Director of Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation, at Utica@freshstart.org or (847) 513-3326 for more information about upcoming Surgery Weekends, to volunteer, or to make a donation. If you are interested in making a donation online, please use the Paypal "donate" button above.
With your help, we can continue to transform the lives of children and their families. Thanks again for your interest and support!
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Follow and "Like" Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation on Facebook and Twitter
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Save the Date!
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| Upcoming Events
- Pre-Celebrity Golf Classic Event on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at Lucky Strike Chicago
- Inaugural Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic - Hosted by Jermaine Dye (Chicago White Sox, 2005 World Series MVP) on Monday, August 31, 2015 at The Beverly Country Club
Please contact Utica J. Gray, PhD, Chicago Regional Director of Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation, at [email protected] or (847) 513-3326 for more details about the event or to become a sponsor. |
Surgery Weekend Dates
- October 24 - October 25, 2015
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