Help Jose Manuel Perez Get the Maxillofacial Surgery He Needs

Hello, my name is Darren Cooper, and I am reaching out to you on behalf of Jose Manuel Perez Azuara. Manuel, or Hijo, as I call him, is a gentle, smart, and hardworking young man from Veracruz, MX. We met through our jobs as Supplier Quality Engineers at BD, and I got to know him much more closely through teaching him English. Speaking to him over video calls, I could detect through his voice that he had physical restrictions. Since then, I learned his story.

Manuel was born to his angel mother, Pomposa, but his biological father never chose to play any role in his life. Immediately, it was evident that his little body did not form properly or completely, and he was born with a cleft palate and a deviated septum. His sweet mother filled in the gaps and made him feel loved and important every moment of his life.

Pomposa made sure that her son obtained the initial surgeries necessary to close his cleft palate. There was significant reconstruction performed inside his mouth and some initial reconstruction of his lips, but the more invasive and expensive surgeries would need to be performed after he grew. But then, tragically, when Manuel was 6 years old, his sole caregiver was diagnosed with cancer and was traumatically removed from his life when she passed on. His overwhelmed grandmother took over care of him and his 7 other siblings. They all did the best they could to survive, but the additional surgeries that Manuel required were sadly placed on the back burner.

Manuel put himself through Engineering School at the Universidad del Atlántico, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering in 2017. Since then, he has worked his way up the ladder at work and has established himself with a reputation for getting things done with precision and passion. As far as improving his health, he has been under self-funded orthodontic care since 2020 and has recently achieved the goal of realigning his bite and straightening his teeth. The next step is the cost-prohibitive surgery.

He needs our help.

About Manuel: Manuel has been facing significant health challenges due to severe maxillofacial issues. These issues have not only caused him immense pain but also impacted his ability to eat, speak, and live a normal life. The deformities in his nose make breathing difficult, especially at night. Despite these difficulties, Manuel remains optimistic and hopeful.

The Need: Manuel requires this long-delayed maxillofacial surgery, which is estimated to cost $8,000. His insurance at work considers this surgery cosmetic and will cover nothing. This amount covers the surgery, hospital stay, and post-operative care. Unfortunately, this is an expense that Manuel and his support team cannot afford on their own.

How You Can Help: Your support can make a world of difference for Manuel. Every donation, no matter how small, brings Manuel one step closer to a pain-free life. If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing this campaign with your network would also be incredibly helpful.

Thank You: We appreciate any support you can provide, whether through a donation or by spreading the word. Together, we can help Manuel get the treatment he desperately needs. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. Sincerely, Darren Cooper