Help Sam keep his ear!

Hi everyone. My name is Brandy and I am here to share the story of the most fun, loving and adorable little boy named Sam. I have grown to love him and the Lesher family and while my hope is that enough money is raised to help Sam keep his ear, I do kindly ask that if you are unable to donate, please share his story. His full story is below.

 

Sam Lesher is a 5-year-old boy who was born with the congenital birth defect Microtia, where the ear fails to develop at birth; one of the many birth defects he was born with due to his genetic Cat Eye Syndrome. In his short 5 years of life, Sam has already endured 15 surgeries for other chronic medical issues. Ben and Sally felt strongly that Sam have a “big ear” to help him fit in socially before he started Kindergarten.

 

Due to Sam’s complex medical history, Ben and Sally, found a plastic surgeon in California, Dr Sheryl Lewin, who specializes in ear reconstruction for children like Sam. Unfortunately, Dr Lewin is not in-network with ANY insurance company. They paid over $20,000 in medical and travel costs for his first ear surgery on Oct 23, 2020. Efforts were made with Ben’s Tricare insurance and the Prime Travel Benefit, but they denied everything despite multiple appeals.

 

A month after surgery, Sam began to develop an infection in front of his new ear implant. Despite 2 additional surgeries locally to clear the infection and several rounds of antibiotics, it persisted. As a last resort to save his new ear, they need to travel back to California on November 9th to have the first of two additional ear reconstruction surgeries with Dr Lewin. This has been a stressful and unexpected turn of events. The Lesher’s are looking at least another $12,000 in medical and travel expenses for the first surgery alone.

 

For the past 20 years, Ben has served as active-duty Military member and Sally is a pediatric hospital social worker. While they saved and expected the cost of the first surgery, these additional surgeries are causing financial strain in the family.

 

We are looking for donations to help cover medical and travel costs for Sam’s ear surgery. Thanks for your consideration in helping Sam keep his ear!!!!!!!