Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center Donates to Tampa Children's Dream Fund

    TAMPA, FL, July 03, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Tampa cosmetic surgeon Dr. Joseph J. Castellano (http://www.castellanocosmeticsurgery.com) recently raised and donated $2500 to the Children's Dream Fund with the help of a pub crawl on May 10th, 2013. The funds allowed a 15-year-old boy from Plant City who was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness to realize his dream of enjoying a shopping spree at Guitar Center.

The pub crawl was organized by Dr. Castellano directly. Participants moved from venue to venue to listen to live music and enjoy the food and drinks at multiple establishments. The crawl crowd visited several well-known venues in Tampa including Seven 17 South, The Lodge, World of Beer and Cheap SOHO. Tickets for bands were priced at $25 each.

"Children's Dream Fund is a cause that's very close to my heart, and I thought a pub crawl would be a great way to raise interest and donations at the same time," explains Dr. Castellano, himself a Tampa Bay native who now heads a cosmetic surgery practice in Tampa-St. Petersburg. "I'm thrilled that we've been able to make such a difference in this young man's life."

The Children's Dream Fund was founded in 1981 in order to fulfill dreams of those children between the ages of three and 18 in West Central Florida who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Medical professionals like doctors and nurses often refer Dreams to the organization, but referrals also come from social workers, friends, families and other patients as well.

Each Dream is tailored to the personality of the specific child. Past Dreams have included meeting celebrities, going on Disney cruises, and receiving physical presents like computer equipment. The most commonly requested Dream is a week at the Give Kids the World Village, a 70-acre resort with accommodations, entertainment attractions, whimsical venues and fun specifically designed for children with special needs.

The Children's Dream Fund is aimed at helping local Florida children, and is not affiliated with any national organization. Over 80 percent of every dollar raised goes directly to funding children's Dreams; over 50 percent of all Dream costs are covered by in-kind donations.

In addition to a monetary donation, Dr. Castellano, whose practice was recently voted Best of Tampa in the cosmetic surgery category, is making another type of donation as well.

"I'm also donating surgery for a girl with ectodermal dysplasia," adds Dr. Castellano, a breast implant specialist in Tampa who will be donating corrective breast augmentation and scar revision for her median sternotomy sometime this month. "Thoughts of aesthetics have to go out the window when it comes to a life-saving surgery. It's great that I can come in a little later in the process and reduce the appearance of the scars from her previous procedures."

Ectodermal dysplasia is a group of syndromes causing various structural abnormalities that could include deformity in the teeth, fingers and facial structure. Although there is no cure, the individual symptoms may be treated with some success. Median sternotomy is a surgical procedure that involves a vertical incision along the breastbone. After the initial incision, the sternum is cracked open to allow surgical access to the heart and lungs. Dr. Castellano's scar revision surgery will help minimize the appearance of the vertical scarring.

"It's really amazing to see these kids when their biggest wish is granted," says Dr. Castellano. "The look on their faces makes me just want to try harder and help even more."

Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center (http://www.castellanocosmeticsurgery.com) was founded in Tampa by Dr. Joseph J. Castellano, a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Medical Association. A Tampa native, Dr. Castellano's unique, personalized, hometown approach has redefined the local cosmetic surgery scene in facial rejuvenation, breast enhancement, and body contouring.

# # #