Alfred

My name is Alfred M. Cardenas, I am 9 years old. I was born in Venezuela. I was diagnosed with bilateral microphthalmia/sclerocornea. When I was 3 years old, I traveled to the United Status to seek for help. However, they did not offered me any solution to my problem.

I went back to my country and when I turned 5, they diagnosed me with glaucoma. I came back to the US for a possible cornea transplant surgery. It was then when I had the privilege to meet a wonderful and sweet doctor, who gave me hope for my glaucoma which it was affecting my left eye.

After the surgery, I started to see a little bit of Light. This is giving me hope that I might be able to see with new science technology and with the support of many foundations that have joined my worthy cause putting my hope in God and in all the doctors that everything is going to be fine.

Mi nombre es Alfred M. Cardenas Castro tengo 9 años. Nací en Venezuela y los doctores me diagnosticaron una anormalidad nombrada microoftalmia y esclerocornia bilateral. A los 3 años viaje a los Estados Unidos para hacerme unos estudios pero no me ofrecieron ninguna solución.

Después regrese a mi país y cuando cumplí cinco años me diagnosticaron Glaucoma. regrese a las Estados Unidos para una posible cirugía de transplante de cornea fue cuando tuve el privilegio de conocer a una doctora maravillosa, encantadora la cuál me dio una esperanza para mi Glaucoma ya que era lo que me estaba causando mas daño en mi ojito izquierdo.

Después de la cirugía empecé a captar un rayito de luz que me esta dando una esperanza de que si se puede con todo lo que ha avanzado la ciencia y con el suporte de muchas fundaciones que se han acobijado a mi noble causa poniendo mi esperanza en Dios y en todos los doctores que todo va a estar bien.

Marcelo

As I sit here thinking of how far Marcelo has come and all he has gone through these short 3 and half years, I can't help but to think what if Dr. Grajewski had not come into our lives? What would we have done and what would have happened to Marcelo and his sight?

We did not approach The GL Foundation for assistance, for we didn't know about it. However, we came across an incredible doctor, Dr. Alana Grajewski, who sacrifices so much for others in their fight to keep their sight. We were so blessed to have found her, for she immediately diagnosed him and at 9 days old he had his first surgery. I will never forget that day... we were going through so many feelings and emotions, everything was happening so fast!

We still hadn't grasped the concept of what glaucoma was, only that Marcelo could be or might go blind without treatment. But the main reason I will never forget that day, is because what Dr. Grajewski did. She never left his side, even after the surgery but only until he regained consciousness. She promised me she would stay with him and she did!! After five heart-wrenching hours, Dr. Grajewski came to our side, and hugged me and relieved us from our despair.

She said "he's fine, he came through and the surgery was longer than I expected, but it was a success." As a parent, you never want anything to be wrong or happen to your children. But you also never forget those people who help save your children's lives and assist in healing them of whatever ails them. That is why I and my family, will do whatever it takes to assist The GL Foundation and Dr. Grajewski to create awareness on glaucoma and raise funds for the foundation. We can never repay her in any kind of monetary value for saving our son's sight, all we can do is help her help others. GL for us means "gesture of love".

That's what Dr. Grajewski and the foundation does for all her kids and patients with glaucoma. We are eternally grateful to her and admire her work and dedication. She reaches out to all, and does what ever she can to create awareness. But most importantly, she treats so many who can't or don't have the means of getting the care and medical attention needed to save their sight. Through The GL Foundation, you can find what we found, information, hope, dedication, love, support and the medical attention needed for a brighter and clearer "vision" of the future.

Special thanks goes out to Sebastian Morales and his father, Mr. Israel Morales for their terrific video .Thanks Sebastian you are a real Star!