Real Hope for CDH
Affectionately known as "KAYS' KIDS"
Learn about a 92%
survival rate for CDH babies born here at Shands
Learn about a 92%
survival rate for CDH babies born here at Shands
Dr. Kays' Team Has a 92% Survival Rate for CDH babies born at Shands
CDH baby under the watchful
eye of Dr. David Kays
ACTIVITES AND OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
A.) REAL HOPE FOR CDH FOUNDATION (the “Foundation”) will devote one hundred percent (100%) of its time and
resources to its charitable purpose of assisting newborns (and their parents) afflicted with Congenital
Diaphragmatic Hernia (“CDH”), which is an often lethal
birth defect suffered by approximately one (1) out of every three thousand (3000) newborns in which the
newborn’s diaphragm does not completely form, causing all or some of his or her abdominal organs to migrate into
the chest cavity and hinder normal lung growth and development. The struggle to overcome CDH does not stop if
the newborn survives, as those fortunate enough to survive CDH have special needs during their formative years,
examples of which may include developmental delays often requiring physical, occupational and speech therapies;
gastroesophageal reflux, asthma and other problems associated with heart & lung function. Currently, the
Foundation is governed by a board whose members include a majority of parents and grandparents of
children/grandchildren born with CDH and treated at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida (“Shands”)
and/or medical professionals directly or indirectly associated with children born with CDH. To further its
charitable purpose, the Foundation will seek donations and grants from the public and other 501(c)(3)
organizations to fund research into the detection, prevention and treatment of CDH (50%); provide education and
access to research to both expectant parents and medical professionals worldwide regarding innovative
techniques, such as the “gentle ventilation” technique performed by the CDH team at Shands, that have
drastically increased the survival rate and overall quality of life for the newborns afflicted with CDH (30%)
and to provide expectant parents with emotional and/or financial support (20%).
B.) The foundation was incorporated on August 8, 2004 but will not begin implementation of its full program
until January 2005.
C.) Our volunteer staff is located primarily in northern Florida and northern Ohio with other volunteers in
various other states across America. Activities of the Foundation will be conducted primarily in the Unites
States of America by our volunteers and any required paid staff.
Are you a parent carrying a child with CDH? Click here to
contact Dr. Kays and his staff