In view of the important role that CryoLife plays in pediatric reconstructive surgeries, CryoLife has established the CryoKids^® program. The mission of the CryoKids foundation is to provide funding for children needing cardiac reconstruction who do not have access to advanced surgical care or the funds to access such care. CryoLife learns about children in need through approved health organizations, charity groups, and surgeons. When a request is received, CryoLife works directly with these groups to donate and transport cryopreserved human heart valves to designated surgical sites.

CryoLife donates its human processed heart valves to children who travel to the United States for their surgeries, as well as children who, for a number of reasons, are unable to leave their own country. Since 2002, CryoLife has generously donated 53 human, processed heart valve tissues to children living in the United States. CryoLife processed heart valve tissues have also been donated to children in numerous foreign countries including; Columbia, Gaza City, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Nigeria, Peru, Republic of Russia, The Ukraine, and Yugoslavia. Since 2006, CryoLife has donated 58 processed heart valves to countries around the world via charitable organizations such as Chain of Hope, CardioStart and Healing the Children.

"Sharon was treated on our most recent mission to Aswan, Upper Egypt. Due to the kindness and generosity of CryoLife, Sharon was able to receive the vital valve she needed in order to save her life and provide her with the opportunity to lead a normal life. A total of 32 patients were treated on the June mission to Aswan. Without your generous contribution, children like Sharon would not have been able to receive the surgery they so desperately needed."
- Lucy Ossack, Chain of Hope

In November of 2009, CryoLife donated a cryopreserved human pulmonary valve for implantation in Vietnam. In collaboration with CardioStart, a non-profit international humanitarian organization dedicated to assisting children and adults with heart disease. In what we believe was the first time in Vietnam's history, a homograft heart valve was implanted in a 21- year old young man, who was suffering from the congenital defect Teratology of Fallot. The surgery was performed successfully by local surgeons and lead by CardioStart’s surgical team at the Viet Duc hospital. To read more about this mission click here.

In the fall of 2009 CryoLife provided 11 human heart valve tissues to support a collaborative mission to Ethiopia. Multiple international organizations, including Healing the Children and Chain of Hope, have partnered to support the Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia and provide much needed cardiac treatment to those living in Ethiopia. To read more about the establishment of the first heart hospital in Ethiopia and this ongoing mission visit the websites for Chain of Hope or Healing the Children.