Today was a life-changing day for Erika — a woman we met last year when she brought her daughter for surgery. During that trip, we learned that, like her daughter, Erika was also born with a cleft palate. However, the repair she received as a child didn’t heal properly, leaving her with a large opening (fistula) between her mouth and nose, making eating and speaking extremely difficult.
For years, she was told by doctors that nothing could be done because the fistula was so large. CSI and our partners at St. Andrew's Children's Clinic , Hospital CIMA Hermosillo, and Voluntariado CIMA did not accept that — over the past year, the team has worked tirelessly to turn decades of “no” for Erika into a life-changing “yes.”
Today, Dr. Michael Fritz — one of the world’s leading experts in complex reconstructive surgery — successfully performed a procedure called a “free flap,” using healthy tissue from another part of Erika’s body to finally close the opening. This delicate surgery will allow Erika to eat, drink, and speak more easily, transforming her daily life.
And there’s something even more special: Erika’s daughter, Danixza, is also having surgery with CSI this week, marking the completion of her own cleft journey as well.
Two generations, both moving forward — together.
Great work, team!
#pediatricsurgery #cleftstrong #globalhealth #Mexico
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