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The Team Justin Surgery Fund

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Justin has had 5 operations in a staged process to diagnose and remove an atypical but benign vascular tumor--or collection of blood vessels--on his face. It is a rarer type of hemangioma called a RICH. When he was 3-4 months old, he had an MRI, an initial failed punch biopsy by a pediatric dermatologist, and then a successful surgical biopsy to figure out exactly what it was by his plastic surgeon, Dr. Milton Waner of the Vascular Birthmark Institute of New York (VBINY). In both February and July of 2014, he underwent operations to remove it and to start re-shaping his nostril and cheek. In August of 2015, his father and mother separated. Due to unfortunate circumstances involving their health and finances, Justin and his mom moved to Michigan while his dad and half-siblings remained in New Jersey. With the start of school, countless curious questions and some derogatory remarks eventually made him ask us when his "birthmark" would go away and if we could see Dr. Waner again. We obviously love and accept him exactly as he is; but although we teach him to love himself as well, it is still hard for him to be called “ugly” and “weird” by his peers. So, we made the call to VBINY and took a trip to the East Coast in April 2017 for an assessment, where we scheduled another surgery for June 2017 so that he would have the whole summer break to heal. Justin and his mom stayed in the area for 14 days for him to recover and have the sutures removed. His nose and ear healed up nicely but his left nostril is still much larger than the right and there is some remaining hemangioma between his nose and lip, as well as hollowness under his eye. His most recent follow-up visit was in November of 2017 along with a 2nd MRI of his brain and face under anesthesia. His next operation was originally scheduled for December of that year but was moved far ahead to June 2020 due to financial difficulties and insurance changes. We are raising money again for our travel expenses and all the medical expenses for the amazing people who treat him, as these procedures are not typically considered to be “medically necessary.” Any help you can afford would be so greatly appreciated, as all funds raised thus far ($5,838) have all been paid out to his providers. Your continued support throughout this journey has been incredible and we simply cannot thank you enough. All of our love, -Team Justin.

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 6 yrs
  • Joy Pelka
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 6 yrs
  • Jan Alderisio
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 6 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $50 (Offline)
    • 6 yrs
  • Sharon Sawdon
    • $60 (Offline)
    • 6 yrs

Organizer

Crystal Ware
Organizer
Okemos, MI

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