SUN Mission Work
SUN...
FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE
Kendra was born with a severe cleft lip and palate. She lives with here extended family in a remote mountain village in the Dominican Republic. Travel is limited- done mostly on foot or on the back of the family's donkey- making access to
medical and surgical care difficult, if not impossible.
In early spring of 2008, Kendra and her aunt climbed into the back of a pick-up truck for the 40 mile trip to a clinic on the outskirts of San Juan de la Manguana. There she would meet Dr. Patricia Fox and the volunteer team of surgeons, nurses and support personnel who would change her life forever.
Kendra was small for her age, probably malnourished since infancy and had long endured the challenges that come with "looking different." She had waited 10 years to undergo a procedure that is routinely performed on children in the
United States during their first few months of life- regardless of economic or social barriers.
Within a few short hours of her arrival at the clinic, Kendra's lip and palate were repaired; her face, transformed; her future, made brighter. It is for children like Kendra that SUN (Surgeons for Underserved Nations) was established.
The SUN team, under the direction of Patricia A. Fox, MD, Vice President and Mary Jane Heffernan, President, has brought essential surgical services to the Dominican Republic, China and Mexico. Serving largely the needs of children with serious facial deformities including cleft lips and palates, Dr. Fox and her colleagues help change the lives of entire communities- one child at a time.
Contributions to SUN help cover the costs of surgical supplies, instruments and medications. The surgical team and the SUN board are all volunteers and accept
no compensation for their services. Surgeons for Underserved Nations is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Gifts/contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Interested in supporting SUN? Come and join us at the 2nd Annual SUN Golf Tournament, July 16th, 2010 at Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park, NY!
To check out pictures & sponsors from out 2009 tournament: click here!