SAN DIEGO — February 20, 2025 — Fresh Start Surgical Gifts continues its mission of providing life-changing surgeries to children in need, celebrating the resilience of their patients and the dedication of their volunteer medical teams. Through their Surgery Weekends, Fresh Start gives children and young adults with congenital and acquired deformities a second chance at a brighter future — at no cost to their families.
Each Surgery Weekend, world-class surgeons and medical professionals volunteer their time and expertise to perform complex reconstructive surgeries, offering transformative outcomes for children who may otherwise have no access to such care. At the most recent Surgery Weekend, several young patients took life-changing steps forward in their journeys to healing.
“We are very grateful to be in our fourth decade of providing life-changing medical care for children from around the world,” said Shari Brasher, CEO of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. “Every child we help is an inspiration to all of us, and we remain dedicated to helping them until they are able to lead happy, productive lives.”
Valeria, born with Apert syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects the development of the skull, face, hands and feet, has undergone multiple surgeries with Fresh Start. Thanks to the care she received, Valeria now has functional fingers, enabling her to perform tasks she was once unable to. Kendall, another patient, was born with strabismus — a condition causing misaligned eyes. She received corrective treatment through Fresh Start, allowing her to see the world more clearly and gain a renewed sense of confidence. Additionally, Eloisa, who was initially told she was permanently blind, turned to Fresh Start for help. She received both a cornea and single-eye transplant, granting her the gift of sight. Plans are in place to address her second eye in the future.
“At Fresh Start, every single one of us is dedicated to providing all medical care and necessary treatments to our patients until we reach the best possible outcome for them,” said Jill Granquist, RN, BSN, medical program director at Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. “With our world-class team, we’ve been transforming the lives of countless children for over thirty years.”
Every child who comes through the doors of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts has a unique story, and their strength fuels the team’s mission to provide life-changing medical care. Thanks to the generosity of Fresh Start’s donors, these children receive critical surgeries and treatments at no cost to their families.
Supporters can help Fresh Start continue their mission by attending fundraising events such as the upcoming Celebrity Golf Classic Dinner and Tournament on March 9–10, 2025. Donations can also be made directly through Fresh Start’s website, with 100% of proceeds going toward patient care. Every contribution helps ensure that children like Valeria, Kendall and Eloisa receive the medical care they need and the futures they deserve.