$909,141.75

Hello Everyone,

I want to share with you my fundraising campaign for NYU Langone Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery.

100% of all funds raised will support the surgical and medical care (vision, speech, hearing, dental, psychosocial, and so forth) of patients—from infants to young adults—suffering from craniofacial conditions https://nyulangone.org/locations/plastic-surgery/craniofacial-services

Every day, we are presented with a new opportunity to practice “living life purposely.” I’ve tried to live by this belief all my years. At this point in my life, I’m fortunate to have the time and the motivation to leverage these resources for a worthy cause.

I attended an event where the lives and circumstances of children and their families living with craniofacial conditions was discussed. It is hard for those of us with healthy faces to comprehend the reality that patients with craniofacial conditions must endure. It isn’t unheard of for these individuals to require nearly 70 or more surgeries over the course of a lifetime.

In addition to the pain, these procedures cost millions of dollars, a financial stress that turns into an emotional burden thrust upon the entire family.

I have so many reasons to be inspired to help the Craniofacial Community. First and foremost, I have not lived my life in a hospital. Furthermore, I was able to enjoy my childhood, going to the beach and to the movies whenever I wanted, riding bikes and playing with other kids without fear of being rejected or bullied in the cruel manner many of these children are. I can smile and wink. I do not have metals and tubes connected to my body; I am able to chew, swallow, and taste food as any average person would. I’ve always had a normal social life, and finding jobs and dating was never difficult. All of these things are blessings I don’t take for granted.

Living purposely, being of service to others, and leaving a mark that may also prove inspirational to others is very fulfilling. If we are fortunate in life and can count many blessings, then it makes sense to serve others. I therefore encourage and invite you to join me in raising awareness of and funds for Craniofacial Differences.

Please share this page with your friends and family and on social media. The more people made aware of my cause, the greater chance I will have to reach my goal of raising $1,000,000.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

 

Respectfully,

Ana Maria Rodriguez

Instagram @beyondFACESnyc