Every single time we accept a child for treatment, it’s special. This month, we were able to announce to Yan’s family in Puerto Rico via Zoom that he will be coming to New York City to receive treatment at the Little Baby Face Foundation, and we have that familiar flutter of excitement!
 

Every single time we accept a child for treatment, it’s special. This month, we were able to announce to Yan’s family in Puerto Rico via Zoom that he will be coming to New York City to receive treatment at the Little Baby Face Foundation, and we have that familiar flutter of excitement!
 
 
 
Yan, 13, has a venous malformation on his lower lip. His mother was not able to find a doctor who could help him in Puerto Rico. In fact, Yan’s condition was misdiagnosed as a hemangioma. It’s not uncommon for these conditions to be misdiagnosed.

Luckily, Yan’s mother reached out for help at just the right time. Venous malformations do not go away on their own and can continue to expand as the child grows. Being that Yan is 13 and approaching puberty, his venous malformation could even continue to grow at a faster rate. At this point, Yan’s venous malformation requires a straightforward treatment of sclerotherapy injections and laser, and he will likely not require surgery.

Yan will be in New York City for a little over a week, staying at the Ronald McDonald House, a long-time partner of ours. They provide low-cost housing for families that are undergoing medical treatment, and it’s within walking distance to our partner hospital facilities. With the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been a challenge to get children to New York City for treatment, especially finding cost-effective accommodations, as Ronald McDonald House was closed. We are so grateful that it’s back up and running—for them, for us, and for the families! Ronald McDonald House requires all guests ages 12 and older to be vaccinated, and thankfully, Yan and his family are.

Yan will be coming mid-week to meet our incredible team and undergo testing. He’ll go in for his treatment Friday morning and leave in the afternoon to rest and recover in his room at the Ronald McDonald House Foundation. The beginning of the following week, he’ll have a follow-up visit and potentially a second round of treatment if necessary. By the end of that week, after a quick check-in, he’ll be heading home to get back to his life, but without the discomfort that has followed him since birth from his venous malformation.

We are confident that 1-2 treatments of sclerotherapy injections and laser treatments will be sufficient to heal Yan’s venous malformation. Should it ever grow back in the future, he will come back to us for surgery, but that situation is unlikely.

Stay tuned for an update on Yan’s treatment. In the meantime, welcome to the Little Baby Face Foundation family, Yan! We’re so glad to have you, and rest assured, you’re in great hands.
 
Yan, 13, has a venous malformation on his lower lip. His mother was not able to find a doctor who could help him in Puerto Rico. In fact, Yan’s condition was misdiagnosed as a hemangioma. It’s not uncommon for these conditions to be misdiagnosed.

Luckily, Yan’s mother reached out for help at just the right time. Venous malformations do not go away on their own and can continue to expand as the child grows. Being that Yan is 13 and approaching puberty, his venous malformation could even continue to grow at a faster rate. At this point, Yan’s venous malformation requires a straightforward treatment of sclerotherapy injections and laser, and he will likely not require surgery.

Yan will be in New York City for a little over a week, staying at the Ronald McDonald House, a long-time partner of ours. They provide low-cost housing for families that are undergoing medical treatment, and it’s within walking distance to our partner hospital facilities. With the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been a challenge to get children to New York City for treatment, especially finding cost-effective accommodations, as Ronald McDonald House was closed. We are so grateful that it’s back up and running—for them, for us, and for the families! Ronald McDonald House requires all guests ages 12 and older to be vaccinated, and thankfully, Yan and his family are.

Yan will be coming mid-week to meet our incredible team and undergo testing. He’ll go in for his treatment Friday morning and leave in the afternoon to rest and recover in his room at the Ronald McDonald House Foundation. The beginning of the following week, he’ll have a follow-up visit and potentially a second round of treatment if necessary. By the end of that week, after a quick check-in, he’ll be heading home to get back to his life, but without the discomfort that has followed him since birth from his venous malformation.

We are confident that 1-2 treatments of sclerotherapy injections and laser treatments will be sufficient to heal Yan’s venous malformation. Should it ever grow back in the future, he will come back to us for surgery, but that situation is unlikely.

Stay tuned for an update on Yan’s treatment. In the meantime, welcome to the Little Baby Face Foundation family, Yan! We’re so glad to have you, and rest assured, you’re in great hands.
 
If your child was born with a facial birth defect and you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.

     
    If your child was born with a facial birth defect and you’re looking for help, please contact us using the form below.