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Surgeons At Comer Children's Hospital Work For Free To Fix Kids' Birth Defects, Deformities

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A former White Sox player and plastic surgeons at Comer Children's Hospital are helping some local kids get life-changing procedures today.

WBBM's Nancy Harty reports everyone in the operating room at Comer is volunteering.

"We have the plastic surgeons and the nurses of all the staff that want to help but we can't also give them the medications, the cost of running the operating rooms," said Dr. Julie Park.

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Dr. Park and other plastic surgeons are working with Fresh Start, a foundation that helps pay costs for surgeries to correct birth defects and deformities. Medical staff at the South Side hospital operated on seven children - six from Chicago and Northwest Indiana and one from Mexico.

Former White Sox right fielder and 2005 World Series Jermaine Dye was there too.

"I was more intrigued and excited and wanted to know how they do this and do that and leaning over," Dye said.

Dye posed for pictures and signed autographs with seven kids and their nervous parents. He is a supporter of the charity that defrays costs for procedures frequently not covered by insurance because they are considered cosmetic.

He says as a father of three, he understands wanting your kids to be able to go to school without being talked about.

Debbie Harris says her 13-year-old son wouldn't smile because of his cleft palate - knowing that his deformed lip and missing teeth made him look different.

After three surgeries, she says he's much happier and more confident.

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