Kids getting free surgeries this weekend at University Hospital; staff donating time [Video]

SAN ANTONIO – – There are so many kids in the world who need surgeries but can’t afford them.

That’s where the innovative Fresh Start Surgical Gifts program comes in. The nonprofit partners with several hospitals in the US, including University Hospital in San Antonio.

This will be University Hospital’s third time participating in the program in just the last year. Starting Saturday, five kids will be getting surgeries for free.

“For me, mission trips are very exciting. And this is a mission trip at home. So we get to stay in our own environment with our own teams,” said Dr. Joshua Stone, a pediatric craniofacial surgeon for University Health and UT Health San Antonio.

Fresh Start funds the families’ transportation and lodging while the hospitals provide the space, staff and time.

“We keep them in the hospital for as long as they need to. We are able to keep track of them through the entire post-operative course, and we can …