We traveled to Tanzania over the summer to volunteer on an ear-nose-throat surgical mission. The hospital was full of kids waiting for surgeries. We are taking part in Hike to Mend to help one or two more kids get access to surgical care. This hike symbolizes the journey that a parent takes to gain access to surgical care for their child.  Please support our campaign or join us at Griffith Park this Saturday, October 8th, 2022 to help us help more kids. Hike a few miles so that, together, we can provide kids with the life-changing care that they need.

The Mending Kids hike event was inspired by Joel’s aunt who traveled clear across Tanzania to try to save her young - orphaned - nephew who was dying of congenital heart disease. Unable to afford the bus fare, she hitchhiked with Joel in tow for a full week, traveling over 700 miles to reach our cardiac mission.

Hike to mend is in honor of the distance that Joel’s aunt and countless other parents travel to try to gain access to surgical care for their child. But more than that, it’s also about the journey we all face when seeking to gain access to healthcare for a loved one, whether you travel on foot, by bus, or try to navigate the obstacles of insurance eligibility, denial or simple advocacy, it is about the journey.

Come hike with us or make or support our campaign with a donation, so we can help more kids receive the surgical care that they need.