Elena Runyan's Create an Ear Fund

Elena was born with grade 3 microtia/atresia, and she has hemifacial microsomia. When Elena was first born, we met with as many specialists as we could in Georgia, we Skyped with many across the nation and have traveled to NYC and Nashville to meet with the top Microtia doctors and researchers. After hearing, reading, and seeing everything, we decided that the MEDPOR surgery was the best option we for Elena which will include a hearing aid implant. When Elena was 2.5 years old, a CT scan was ordered to determine if Elena was a candidate for ear canal reconstruction. Due to her facial palsy, we knew that she likely wasn't, but it was a necessary step before the surgery.  It showed us that Elena had a small rupture behind her closed canal where her middle ear would've developed. While it was a non-cancerous tumors, it would still be dangerous if it wasn't removed. On February 15th 2018, Elena underwent a reverse ear canal surgery. Essentially, they opened her ear up, cleaned it out, and sealed it shut. At that time, Elena did not weigh enough to undergo the MEDPOR surgery concurrently. The upcoming surgery is approximately $54,000, due up front with no guarantee of reimbursement. While the first surgery was considered medically necessary, this one is considered cosmetic to make her big ear, even with the insertion of the hearing aid. We also will have to pay for travel expenses there and back as well as her hospital visit and anesthesia. We will not know those costs until after her surgery is completed. Elena is excited and brings it up and asks several times a week "When do I get my big ear?" Luckily, her excitement helps balance out our nervousness, although it won't be gone completely until her surgery is done. Elena has not let anything hold her back. She is comical, strong-willed, stubborn, smart, sweet, and sassy wrapped in a little happy ball of energy. To follow our journey you can find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/EarForElena . Thank you for your donations and your thoughts, but more than anything, thank you for your prayers.