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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Surgery Weekend Recap
September 2017
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T
he surgeries performed included further excision of a giant nevus, scar revisions from a previous surgical excision, and excision of re-occurring cyst on the right cheek.
We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with our key stakeholders during future Surgery Weekends.
Upcoming Surgery Weekend Dates:
February 10-11, 2018
May 19-20, 2018
September 22-23, 2018
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Patient Spotlight:
Meet Michael
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Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation
would like to introduce 19-year-old, Michael. He is a college sophomore who is studying biological sciences at Illinois State University with hopes of one day becoming an occupational therapist. He enjoys doing freelance photography and "thrifting" to create his own unique clothing styles during his spare time. Michael is an outgoing young man who enjoys exercising and expressing his Nigerian culture through decor, clothing, and music.
Michael developed gynecomastia, which is the enlargement of the glandular tissue of male breasts. It is a condition that results from an imbalance in the hormonal environment in the body. Despite Michael's strict exercise regimen, his medical condition remained.
Michael notes, "I missed out on a lot of childhood fun like swimming, wrestling, and boxing because they all require being shirtless. Since I was teased for my chest, I never publicly participated in those activities."
Michael confesses, "If I had not received help from
Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation,
I would [have] had no option but to live with the unwanted tissue glands that made me feel very uncomfortable. My parents couldn't afford to pay for the surgery themselves." Additionally, Michael's insurance would not cover the surgery because it was deemed to be an unnecessary cosmetic procedure.
Michael recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of his
Fresh Start surgery
at
Comer Children's Hospital
to remove the excess breast tissue.
He says, "I envision
Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation
having a huge impact on the lives of many Chicago-area children. They definitely made a huge impact in my life, and I am forever grateful for that. Before the procedure I had, I was not comfortable in my body one bit. Gynecomastia held me back from doing and accomplishing many things. After my surgery, my confidence boosted and I began to jump out of my comfort zone to try things I never thought I would."
Image of Michael's chest
(pre-surgery)
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Volunteer Spotlight:
LaTonya Anderson, RN, BSN
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We are delighted to introduce LaTonya Anderson, RN, BSN as a member of our volunteer team. She is a Registered Nurse and has served as a Pediatric Operating Room Nurse at
The University of Chicago Medicine for 11 of the 12 years she has been a nurse. She is currently pursuing a Family Nurse Practitioner/MBA degree at St. Xavier University in Chicago. When she is not working and pursing her degree, she enjoys attending church; volunteering with the Teen Ministry when there are outings; and spending time with her family.
Anderson is hopeful that
Fresh Start will continue to grow, expand, and continue to transform the lives of children into adulthood. She states, "I would love for Fresh Start to have a larger impact on the communities that The University of Chicago Medicine [serves]". She concludes by stating, "There are plenty of ways to inspire new beginnings for someone. Everyone is entitled to a fresh start, and this can be that new beginning. Fresh Start can take children and turn their outlook about life around." Anderson is a dedicated advocate for our patients, and she is instrumental in "spreading the word" about Fresh Start Caring For Kid Foundation's services to her local community and groups with which she is associated.
On behalf of
Fresh Start and our patients, we are incredibly grateful to have LaTonya Anderson as a member of our team and an advocate for our organization.
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Fresh Start was a Charity Beneficiary of The Larry A. Pogofsky All-Star Softball Challenge
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Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation is fortunate to have been selected as a charity beneficiary of
The Larry A. Pogofsky All-Star Softball Challenge (presented by
Cumulus Radio Chicago), which took place on September 23, 2017 at
Boomers Stadium in Schaumburg, IL. The event was h
ighlighted by World Series Champions Jermaine Dye (Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation's Celebrity Spokesperson), Scott Podsednik, Freddy Garcia and Joe Crede for the South Siders, plus Derrek Lee, Fergie Jenkins, Carlos Zambrano, Lee Smith, Jose Cardenal and many more from the Cubs. It was a must-see event as these local legends took the field to benefiting a great cause.
Many thanks to all who contributed to a special afternoon of fun
. Special thanks to our dedicated friend, Benjamin Pogofsky, for inviting our organization to be a beneficiary of such a wonderful event in memory of his father and to our Celebrity Spokesperson, Jermaine Dye (Chicago White Sox, 2005 World Series MVP), for his steadfast support. We are eternally grateful for the opportunity to
share our mission with a wider audience.
Roster of Celebrity Players
Representing the Chicago White Sox
Jermaine Dye Joe Crede Scott Podsednik
Freddy Garcia Carl Everett Mike Huff
Toby Hall Adam Russell Brian Anderson
Norberto Martin Bill Simas Keith Foulke
Willie Harris Dan Pasqua Darryl Sutter
Jon Garland Bob Howry Lance Briggs
Representing the Chicago Cubs
Fergie Jenkins Carlos Zambrano Lee Smith
Bill Madlock Jose Cardenal Brian McRae
Cliff Floyd Mike Remlinger Jerome Walton
Adam Greenberg Ray Burris Roosevelt Brown
Todd Wellemeyer Trenidad Hubbard
Kyle Farnsworth Corey Patterson Derrek Lee
Antonio Alfonseca Billy Williams Ryan Dempster
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| Fresh Start Surgical Gifts (based in San Diego, California) 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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*Proud winner of the Make It Better Foundation 2015 Philanthropy Award - Health & Wellness
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Thank You for Your Interest in Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation
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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. Thank you, 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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is a fantastic resource for information about our medical services, applications for prospective patients, upcoming events and Surgery Weekend dates, and volunteer opportunities. We are very excited to share our website with you.
Please "like" us on Facebook (Fresh Start Caring For Kids Foundation) and follow us on Twitter (@FreshStartKids).
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Save the Date!
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Upcoming Events
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Upcoming Surgery Weekend Dates
- February 10-11, 2018
- May 19-20, 2018
- September 22-23, 2018
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Photos courtesy of Nelson Floresca |
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