Medical Missions
Upcoming Mission:
Walk. Run. Dream. Guadalajara 2011
Our Mission
CLESF philanthropic mission is to assist individuals and communities in need by offering pro bono surgical procedures to qualifying cases to correct lower extremity deformities. In most cases, the individuals are faced with few resources and few options to improve their condition. The ultimate diagnosis for the majority is limb amputation, leaving little hope for quality of life. Case by case, CLESF strives to change that by giving our patients the ability to Walk. Run. Dream.
Medical Mission: Guadalajara 2011
Fulfilling our mission of helping individuals Walk. Run. Dream., since its inception, the Chicago Lower Extremity Surgical Foundation has undertaken various philanthropic initiatives. From medical missions in Latin America conducted by CLESF doctors, to providing support to local and international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Alivio Medical Center, American Diabetes Association, the National Council of La Raza, Mundo Fisico, and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, among others.
In May, CLESF, will launch its 2011 Medical Mission in Guadalajara, Mexico. In partnership with Mundo Fisico Hospital, CLESF's team of surgeons will donate their time and talent to correct lower extremity deformities in up to 10 individuals.
How You Can Help
Making a difference in someone’s life takes a team effort. And with your help, we can help someone Walk, Run & Dream.
The cost to provide care for just one patient, including, but not limited to, the surgical facility and equipment, hospital stay, meals, medication, and nursing care can be upwards of $2,000USD, and this does not include the costs to accommodate the surgeons who donate their time.
Every contribution counts. Donate online today by clicking here.
If you are a corporation interested in making a financial contribution or donating medical equipment, please contact sarah.inciong@clesf.org
How CLESF is Making a Difference:
The Story of Baby Cris
In 2006, Silvia Garcia's son Cris was born with a deformity in his left foot and leg. After seeing various doctors in a number of medical institutions, it wasn't until Cris was four months old that they were able to diagnose him with hemimelia. Hemimelia is a congenital condition typically characterized by a shortened fibula or absence of the fibula, which causes deformity and abnormal growth in the lower extremities. According to the doctors, Cris' leg was not strong enough. He would never walk, and the only alternative was amputation. His mother would not accept it. After much research, she discovered that CLESF Chair Dr. Edgardo Rodriguez and Dr. Victor Delgadillo had treated cases similar to that of her son. At the tender age of nine months old, baby Cris underwent his first operation under the care of the CLESF team of doctors. The first operation was to lengthen his aquilles tendon and align his leg. The second procedure a few years later was to prepare Cris’ leg for future lengthening that would be required as his body grows.
Today, Cris is in kindergarten and runs, jumps, plays, and dreams like any other child his age. According to his mother, CLESF completely changed Cris' life: "They gave him the chance to grow and develop, and to experience total quality of life, like any normal child."