Blake & Holly Stock started the Share A Smile™® Foundation in the Fall of 2002, with the assistance of Dr. A. Jay Burns and his staff at The Fogelson Plastic & Craniofacial Surgery Center for Children, and Children's Medical Center of Dallas.
The objective of the Share A Smile™® Foundation is to provide financial support to children requiring surgery and/or medical treatments to repair or remove vascular malformations such as hemangiomas and port-wine stains, as well as other conditions (plagiocephaly, craniosynostosis, severe scarring, etc.) not covered by insurance, Medicaid or CHIP programs.
The Share A Smile™® Foundation assists children whose parents are employed but whose families do not have insurance coverage for the needed treatment, do not qualify for Medicaid/CHIPS and do not have the financial means to pay for the treatment. Dr. Burns, along with his surgical partner Dr. John Burns, have generously offered to forego their compensation for each of the children sponsored by the Foundation. Additionally, Children's Medical Center of Dallas provides their services at a deeply discounted rate. There are however, other medical and hospital expenses to be covered.

Vascular anomalies are a familiar subject for Blake & Holly. One of their twin daughters, Channing, was diagnosed with a nasal tip hemangioma as an infant. At 3 months old, Channing's pediatrician referred the family to Dr. Jay Burns. Dr. Burns began treatment immediately due to the extremely rapid growth of the malformation, prescribing low dose steroids. The goal was to shrink the growth, either in preparation for surgery or, if possible, to have the growth disappear completely. Blake & Holly worked closely with Dr. Burns, recognizing that the long-term goal was to have no noticeable hemangioma by the time Channing entered Kindergarten. Channing remained on the medication for a year, and had two laser treatments to lessen the discoloration. The steroids helped control the size of the malformation, but it remained an obvious disfigurement, drawing unkind comments from strangers on a daily basis.

At age 3 years, with the malformation showing no indication of disappearing, Channing underwent her first surgery. The surgery went successfully and her nose healed well, however, within the following year, the hemangioma began to grow again. It was at this time that the growth was reclassified in more general terms and simply called a venous or vascular malformation (hemangiomas do not generally grow back after having been removed). Channing underwent a second, more invasive, surgery at age four. Although there was no additional abnormal tissue found, Dr. Burns removed much more nasal tissue during this surgery. The surgery was successful and Channing's nose healed completely - no scarring or swelling and just a very faint area of pink remains - most people are shocked to learn of her previous malformation. Channing, now 14 years old, is a normal teenager who loves to ride her horse and spend time with her family & friends!

Blake & Holly, along with Channing and her sister Avery, became very close to Dr. Jay Burns and his staff over the term of Channing's treatment. Although Channing had officially been released from Dr. Burns care, the Stock family kept in close contact with him and his staff members, therefore when the idea of a charitable foundation was considered, Dr. Burns and his invaluable work immediately came to mind.

The Stocks feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity and financial means to have Channing treated successfully by Dr. Burns, but recognize not every family has the same options.

If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the Share A Smile™® Foundation or would like to sponsor a child for treatment, please contact Holly Stock at the addresses under the contact information. Also, we are actively seeking sponsors and donors year-round for our fundraising events. If your company would like to be a major/donating sponsor, please contact Holly. As you can see, there are many opportunities to make a difference in a child's life!

Thank you for visiting our website. We are continually adding to it, so check back often for updates on the children we are sponsoring for treatment as well as for info on upcoming events.

Channing and Evie - 2010