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.