Reconstructive Surgery for Wounded Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq at No Cost

The New York Times published a story about the work of Operation Mend, a collaborative program between the UCLA Health System and the Brooke Army Medical Center. The program was created to provide reconstructive (plastic) surgery for disfigured veterans of the Afghan and Iraqi wars at no cost to the patient.  However, it's been expanded to provide limbs, urologic treatment, and other issues.  Active military personnel and veterans are eligible patients.  Nearly 60 people from various branches of the armed forces have been treated so far. 

The patients and a family member receive treatment in Los Angeles, and are housed in a hotel near the medical center.  To see if you or a family member are eligible for treatment, contact Melanie Gideon at (310) 794-8161, or   mgideon@mednet.ucla.edu.

Help for Cosmetic and Dental Work for Victims of Domestic Violence

The scars of domestic violence at once invisible—and often in prominent display.  Some people in the business of making others look their best are donating their services to get rid of the broken faces and teeth of domestic violence survivors.

In California, Face Forward is a medical team that contributes pro bono reconstructive surgery to adults and children disfigured in domestic and gang violence. Call 310-657-2253 for more information.

Face to Face is a project of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.  They work with domestic violence shelters to provide reconstructive surgery to the heads, faces and necks of victims who have reached a physically safe place and are beginning to move on with their lives.  Call the toll-free number 1-800-842-4546 to get the ball rolling.

For men and women needing cosmetic dental work to repair the damage of violence, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry sponsors Give Back a Smile, a program that takes survivors that have been out of the violent relationship for at least a year (if less, you get put on a waiting list).  The system isn’t totally freebie—after filling out the application—and paying a $20 application or putting in 10 hours of community work, you are eligible.