HOW YOU CAN HELP

Thank you for deciding to help Surgical Friends Foundation. Surgical Friends strives to restore young lives through vital reconstructive surgery and to empower surgeons in developing countries by giving them the education, training and materials to treat their patients with modern surgical care. Your investment goes beyond providing tools to surgeons, but restores the lives of  victims and their families.

INDIVIDUAL GIVING
Surgical Friends depends on the charitable contributions of individual supporters like you. One-time donations of any size are welcome any time and can be made online right now. You can direct your gift to our general fund, which allows us to use the donation where it is needed most, or you can choose to fund a specific need or mission trip.  Some examples of ways you can give follow:
Make a Gift Now: Please donate online now by using our secure online server. Surgical Friends Foundation, 465 N.Roxbury Drive, Suite 1001
Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Or make your donation by phone by calling 310.562.3631.
Matching Gift: Your donation can double with a matching donation from your company. Click here for a listing of Corporations who make matching gifts. See if your company is listed.
Memorial/Honor Gift: You can make a gift in memory or honor of someone special to you. A card will be sent to the person (or family of the deceased) letting them know of your gift, the dollar amount will not be mentioned.
Stock or Real Estate: Appreciated stock or real estate is an excellent way to make a gift and avoid capital gains while receiving a deduction. Please contact our office to facilitate the transaction.
Bequest: You may wish to remember Surgical Friends Foundation in your will. The process is simple, you only need to add a paragraph. Contact your financial or legal advisor for more information.
Charitable Trust or Annuity: It is possible to gift a trust or annuity which can pay you a lifetime of income. Contact your financial advisor to find out how.
Life Insurance or IRA: You may make Surgical Friends Foundation the beneficiary of your life insurance policy or IRA.

GRANTS
75% of our funding comes from Foundations or Community Groups. If you have foundation or know of a foundation that would like to help our mission, please contact us at info@surgicalfriends.org. We will prepare a full proposal and request for funding. The information below will give you a glimpse at the Surgical Friends structure.

As an international organization, our goal is to treat 50% American and 50% foreign children. Of our U.S. patients, 66% are minorities and 80% are children. Many of these patients are children of the working poor who have no insurance at all or their insurance will not cover these procedures. Others are from families who would suffer significant financial hardship if they were to pay for the necessary and costly medical treatment. 
 
It is this chance to make a difference that makes Surgical Friends a unique philanthropic opportunity. Today, approximately seven percent of American children are born with pediatric deformities and congenital defects such as cleft palate, missing limbs, and facial deformities. Even more children are affected each year due to disease, accidents or burn injuries. Their deformity could also be the painful reminder of abuse left by someone they used to trust. Unfortunately, it has become commonplace for insurance companies to label reconstructive procedures to correct these deformities as cosmetic surgery and deny coverage to help these children. The medical and developmental complications that arise from not correcting these conditions can be tremendous. 

Results from the Surgical Friends medical program are easily recognizable. Not only is the outward appearance of the child improved, but the beauty that comes from within is staggering. An increased sense of self-worth and acceptance by their peers makes these children eager to participate in school and community activities.  As confident individuals, these children are now equipped to go on to live happy and successful lives. Accountability and efficient fund allocation is very important to us. To this end, our Medical Committee evaluates the success of each surgery and mission trip.  They review for quality assurance to ensure we are achieving optimal outcomes for our patients. 

SPONSORSHIPS
Surgical Friends offers a unique opportunity for corporations to be involved with a charitable organization that has tremendous impact on the lives of children. The results of Surgical Friends services are easily recognizable. Not only is the outward appearance of the child improved, but an increased sense of self-worth helps them become more confident and happy. There are many ways for corporations to help. 
Sponsor a Mission Trip: An unrestricted donation from your corporation is an effective way to support Surgical Friends programs throught the world. Be a Surgical Friends Parnter on our next mission trip. Please contact our headquarters at 310.562.3631 to talk about the many ways your corporation can play a role in our life-saving missions to developing countries. In turn, you company will receive recognition on all media related activities with regard to the trip.
Work Place Giving: State a workplace giving campaign to generate support for Surgical Friends programs. Offer a corporate gift match for every dollar donated by your employees.

INKIND GIFTS
Surgical Friends welcomes pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and equipment.  If you would like to donate to our gifts-in-kind program, please contact our headquarters to facilitate the transaction. Our current list of needs is below.
General Needs
Scrubs
Rubber Gloves
Antibiotic Cream
Alcohol
Cotton Balls
Gauze
Tylenol
Aspirin
Multi-Vitamins
Compression Garments
Sutures
Anesthetics

VOLUNTEER
Volunteer to travel with us on one of our mission trips or to help out within the US. If you are a physician or healthcare professional, please contact us if you are interested in becoming a part of our team. We will send you the required application for credentialing. We are in need of:
Current Volunteer Needs
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Facial Plastic Surgeons, Oculoplactic Surgeons, Oral maxillofacial Surgeons, Head and Neck Surgeons, Hand Surgeons, Nurses, Anesthesiologists, Certified Nurse Anesthetists, Surgical Techs.