Non-profit provides children with life-changing surgery

The Illinois/Indiana Chapter of Healing the Children began over 24 years ago. The group brings together doctors and caregivers to help needy children across the globe. Recently, the group brought 3-year-old Daisy, a little girl from Nicaragua, to Chicago for life-altering surgery.

Daisy was born with a tumor on her upper lip called a venous vascular malformation. Her family could not afford the treatment to remove the tumor. Northbrook plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael A. Epstein, first met Daisy and evaluated her condition several months ago when he traveled to Nicaragua on a medical mission for Healing the Children. After months of fundraising, Daisy was flown to Chicago. Dr. Bruce S. Bauer, the Director of Pediatric Plastic Surgery at NorthShore University HealthSystem and Dr. Epstein performed Daisy's surgery together at Highland Park Hospital pro-bono. Daisy is now recovering after a successful surgery

Dr. Michael Epstein, founder of MAE Plastic Surgery, and Jeff Degner, Director of Healing the Children: Illinois/Indian Chapter, sat down with ABC7 to talk about Daisy's surgery, and how Healing the Children helps others around the world.

LINKS:

Healing the Children: www.healingthechildren.org

Illinois Chapter Healing the Children: www.htc-il.org

MAE Plastic Surgery: www.maeplasticsurgery.com

NorthShore University HealthSystem: www.northshore.org