Fresh Start had a successful Surgery Weekend on January 14th & 15th!
- Fresh Start performed 8 reconstructive surgeries on Saturday
- On Sunday, Fresh Start had speech therapy services for 7 patients, Cutera Laser Clinic for 9 patients, and many additional consultations, post-ops, and evaluations
- Fresh Start had over 90 volunteers throughout this Surgery Weekend, from surgeons providing reconstructive surgeries to non-medical volunteers checking in patients.
Lupita in 2003
Lupita was one of the 8 patients that received reconstructive surgeries at the January 14th and 15th Surgery Weekend. Lupita has been a Fresh Start patient for over 6 years and has greatly benefited from the expertise of our volunteer medical professionals. When Lupita first came to Fresh Start, she had received some medical treatments for the large hemangioma that covered the bottom half of her mouth and face, but the medical treatments she had received had been largely unsuccessful and some of the laser treatments had even caused second and third degree burns and scarring. When Lupita and her family came to Fresh Start, they had nowhere else left to turn – her dad had recently lost his job and although he eventually found a new job, his medical benefits had decreased significantly and they could not afford to provide Lupita with further medical care.
Lupita before receiving reconstructive surgery at the January 2012 Surgery Weekend
Now Lupita has been receiving care from Fresh Start for over six years and our staff and volunteers have witnessed her transformation from shy and embarrassed to confident and proud. Lupita has received many previous reconstructive surgeries for her condition and her time with the Fresh Start Program is almost complete. At the January 14th Surgery Weekend, Lupita received reconstructive surgery on the hemangioma on the left side of her face from volunteer plastic surgeon Dr. Amanda Gosman. A few years ago, Lupita wrote this letter to Fresh Start to express her gratitude:
‘Since I’ve been a part of the program, I’m no longer the same person I was before. Fresh Start has transformed my life, my future, and my destiny. This organization is truly my light of hope. Fresh Start has given me faith in myself, and the strength and confidence needed to pursue my dreams. Now I am a happy person who desires to live and help others!
I will always be grateful for what Fresh Start has given me. To the volunteers, donors, and staff, I could never thank you enough. You will be forever in my prayers. It is because of this generosity and compassion that now when I look into the mirror I see me with a pretty new face and smile I never saw before.”
A special thank you to our food sponsor for this Surgery Weekend, Hacienda Casa Blanca, and our Surgery Weekend sponsors:
