Yilian and her supporters, including classmates, teachers and relatives, reached out to CFC for help. They also raised money on their own to help with the $22,500 cost for the three needed surgeries.

On November 27, 2007, Dr. Jose Garri performed the first surgery: a mandibular osteometry. During this surgery, he inserted mandibular distracter devices, used to generate bone growth in the jaw. In December, an adjustment procedure was done, and in April 2008, the distracters were removed.

Yilian attends high school in Miami, and because of her successful surgeries, she has grown into a confident, self-assured young women. You can see evidence of this in pictures of her at our fundraising gala.