The time has come for our Zojka to undergo the Lefort III surgery. She is scheduled to arrive in Dallas on October 4th to prepare for surgery with doctor Fearon that will take place on October 9th. As with all of our patients, Zojka will have to wear a special halo for several weeks before she can return back to Poland in December. We are anxiously waiting their arrival!!!
One of our first “Foundation kiddos” – Filip, reached the age when he was finally able to undergo the face reconstruction surgery. His operation took place in June and he and his family stayed with us through most of this summer to finally return to Poland in August.  His favorite grandpa was very happy to see his grandson when he returned home!
This is Filip before and after the Le Fort III surgery!
Our 7-year-old Adas Kerner needs another skull surgery. The exact date has not been set up yet but we know that he and his family will be arriving in Dallas early spring of 2024. We are anxiously awaiting their arrival and will provide assistance and care throughout their visit.
Our 11-year-old Lena Mazurek arrived in Dallas November 8th. She is currently staying in Ronald McDonald House of Dallas with her mom Ewa and assistant/best aunt Sylwia. She will undergo a surgery to enlarge the skull on November 17th:
– Monday, November 13th – eye doctor appointment
– Tuesday, November 14th – preoperative hospital appointments
– Wednesday, November 15th – final consultation with doctors Fearon and Sacco
– Friday, November 17th – surgery
– Saturday, December 16th – tentative return date to Poland
Please keep Lena in your thoughts and prayers!
Our 11 year old Lena Mazurek is scheduled to arrive in Dallas on November 8th. She has to undergo another surgery to enlarge the skull. The doctors are suspecting her eye cancer might have returned so in addition to all the regular visits, she will have to see an eye specialist to determine the course of treatment. Our volunteers are on standby to assist Lena and her mom during their visit to Dallas!

Children born with one of the APC Syndromes (Apert, Cruzon, Pfeiffer) experience various malformations of the skull, face, hands and feet. Since the cranial bones fuse prematurely with the facial bones the cranial bones can’t grow as fast as the brain does. If not treated properly, this will lead to severe brain damage. The treatment consists of gradually expanding the cranial bones by a complex surgical procedure, to keep up with the brain grows. This has to be performed several times in few years’ intervals, up to the point when the brain attains its maturity and doesn’t expand any more. In addition, there are procedures to separate fingers and toes.

As it happens, the team of Dr. Fearon in the Children’s Hospital at Medical City Dallas is the world leader in those surgeries.

When a family sees a child born with the APC syndrome it is initially a shock, but then a call to action. We are overwhelmed by the amount of love and determination these families put into their children. So, we, at the Small Big Hearts Foundation, are determined to welcome them here in Dallas and make sure they feel safe and at home. Those families become part of our families; friendships are born.

Funds permitting, we are also helping financially. More funds we raise, more possibilities for financial help will exist for those children. On behalf of the families we are helping here in Dallas we are thankful to all our donors and sponsors for donations and general support.

Together we can make a difference.