12 youth given free cosmetic surgeries

KENDALL, Fla. (WSVN) -- Some South Florida doctors are on a mission to bring smiles to a dozen children.

Doctors at Baptist Children's Hospital in Kendall are donating their time to perform cosmetic surgeries, free of charge, for 12 children and young adults, in the annual Day of Smiles event. "This is the one event of the year that we really enjoy, because we're helping our kids, our community, and it's what Baptist is all about," said Maria Diego of Baptist Children's Hospital.

Katyana Guzman is one of the lucky 12. On Saturday, she was scheduled to undergo ear reconstructive surgery, a procedure her family would not be able to afford on their own. "My ear's getting open, and I'm so proud, and I love what's going to happen to me," Katyana said.

Katyana's mom, Isabel Maldonado, mentioned expressed her gratitude to the doctors. "It means a lot," she said. "It is an opportunity we are very grateful for."

Fifteen-year-old Omar Cobas was also selected. He said, "Kids are cruel. Not they can be, they are. This is just going to help me get more confidence, I guess."

Also among the 12 is Marya Klymenko. When Marya was 7 months, while in her village in the Ukraine, she accidentally spilled a pot of boiling water onto 60 percent of her body, disfiguring her face.

She came to the U.S. for her first surgery in 1998, when she was just 2 years old. Multiple reconstructive surgeries restored her smile and her eyebrows.

Now, Marya and others will get the chance to look and feel better about themselves, no doubt boosting their confidence.

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