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"Nicklaus Children's Hospital"

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Life-Saving Heart Surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital: Justin’s Story (Video)

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

It should have just been the birth of their second child but only minutes after he was born, Drew and Stacey were told their newborn son Justin had a lethal heart condition and needed to be airlifted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. That was the beginning of a remarkable relationship that spanned the next thirteen years.

This is Justin’s story, my latest video production for Nicklaus Children’s Health Foundation who raise funds for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (formerly Miami Children’s Hospital). One of the greatest gifts I’ve been given in my business is to have been of service to this truly remarkable hospital for over 12 years (you can view other videos HERE). This hospital saves lives, help spread the word…

For more information, or to support the hospital, visit www.nicklauschildrens.org

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Nicklaus Children's Hospital
CorporateMiami Children's Hospital

Fighting Pediatric Brain Cancer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital – Lacy’s Story (Video)

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

Lacy was only 2 years old when her parents noticed that something was wrong. She was unable to walk and spent most of the day sleeping. They took her to several doctors to try to find what could be the cause but everything was coming back normal – until a neurologist found an 8 cm. tumor in her brain. That’s when Lacy was referred to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

A biopsy of the tumor at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital uncovered a parent’s worst nightmare – the tumor was malignant. Lacy had brain cancer. The surgery to remove the tumor was just the beginning of Lacy’s journey to recovery. Here’s the latest in a continuing series of videos that I’ve been producing for Miami Children’s Health Foundation, who help raise funds and awareness for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami – this is Lacy’s remarkable story…

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Chiari Network
CorporateMiami Children's HospitalSound and Vision

How Doctors at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Saved Baby Luna (Video)

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

Imagine being told your newborn baby wasn’t going to make it through her first week of life. That was the case with baby Luna. After seven days on life support, doctors at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (formerly Miami Children’s Hospital) told Luna’s mother to prepare to say goodbye to her first born child.

In a last ditch effort to try and uncover the child’s puzzling inability to breathe on her own, they called on Dr. Aldousany, a cardiologist, to take a look at her. He performed an echocardiogram and what he found was an unusual net-like structure on her heart – a rare condition known as the Chiari Network.

Chiari Network

This is Luna’s remarkable story, the latest in a series of videos I’ve been producing for Miami Children’s Health Foundation who raise funds and awareness for for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. To help children like Luna, please visit www.mchf.org/donate.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/dkwwy9Fn23A[/youtube]

Kidney Transplant

Did you know that video promotion is over 6 times more effective than print and online? If you’re not using video to promote your product, service or event, maybe it’s time you did. Feel free to contact us to discuss how we can help tell your company or organization’s unique story…

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BlogMiami Children's HospitalPhotographySound and Vision

Real-Life Santa Claus Michael Fux at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

Since 2004, businessman and real-life Santa Claus Michael Fux has provided holiday gifts for over 300 underprivileged patients and families (every year!) of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (formerly Miami Children’s Hospital) through his Michael Fux Foundation at his annual holiday celebration. Each year, social workers at the hospital identify the neediest children and come November, their gift list is sent to Mr. Fux. He takes care of the rest.

Gifts are wrapped the week before and delivered to the hospital in the early morning hours the day of the party. There’s also food and game stations set up as well as face painting, balloons, comic book and Disney characters and special guests like former NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning, Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, Gloria Gaynor and Danielle Bradbery, winner of “The Voice”. This video I produced back in 2013 documents some of the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into Fux’s annual party…

[vimeo width=”890″ height=”500″]https://vimeo.com/85583857[/vimeo]

Michael Fux, who came to the United States from Cuba as a teenager with his family is the proverbial rags-to-riches story. He lived with his parents and brother in a one-bedroom apartment in a seven-story walkup in Newark, New Jersey. Since then, Fux has gone from selling used tires and recharged car batteries to a multi-millionaire in the foam bedding industry. He’s also become a self-proclaimed “car freak” with a collection of 129 vehicles, including 25 Ferraris, 12 Porches, 11 Aston Martins and six Rolls-Royces. “I was very fortunate in life”, says Fux. “But I never forgot where I came from.”

This year, I started out the day shooting a short PSA with Gloria Gaynor for Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation and then I grabbed my camera and shot a few pictures at the event. It was my sixth straight year at his event and after seeing all the smiles from the kids as they receive their presents (and the tears in the eyes of some of the parents as their kids receive their presents), there aren’t many better ways to spend a Saturday in December in sunny South Florida.

“Giving a check is easy”, says Fux. “This is something I love doing.”

Enjoy the pics…

Michael Fux Foundation

Michael Fux and I at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital…

Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor and Miami model and fashion designer Maripily Rivera were on hand to help give out some of the presents…

Erick Cuesta

TV host and CNN en Español entertainment reporter Erick Cuesta also helped give out presents to the kids…

Alonzo Mourning

Former NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning looks on as a young boy rides off on his new bicycle…

Michael Fux

Michael Fux

Michael Fux

Spider Man

Michael Fux

Michael Fux

Michael Fux

Michael Fux

Besides presents, Fux’s annual party also includes activities for the children and families as well as hamburgers, pizza and even a giant paella dish…

Michael Fux

Santa Claus

Burnie

Everybody loves Santa – even Burnie, the Miami Heat’s official mascot…

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat Dancers were also in attendance…

Michael Fux

A mother with tears in her eyes thanks Michael Fux…

Michael Fux

Before leaving, I caught Michael Fux (on right) taking a breather in his custom purple Rolls Royce.

Kidney Transplant

For more information or to support the Michael Fux Foundation, please contact Valerie Hupchick at vhupchick (@) migholdings (dot) com.

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CorporateMiami Children's Hospital

From Colombia to Miami: Isabella’s Leukemia Story

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

Isabella was diagnosed with leukemia in Colombia at 7 years old. When treatment failed to put her in remission, her oncologist in Medellin referred the case to Dr. Guillermo De Angulo, pediatric hematology-oncologist at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (formerly Miami Children’s Hospital).

Now, I’ve been producing these patient success videos for Nicklaus Children’s Health Foundation for five years now and I don’t think I’ve ever featured a more engaging character than young Isabella. Check out her remarkable story – and her even more remarkable spirit…

You can help Nicklaus Children’s Hospital continue to provide life-saving cancer treatments to patients from South Florida and all over the world by making a donation HERE or by calling 1-800-987-8701.

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Physician Voices: Reflections on a Pandemic

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

I’ve been producing videos for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (formerly Miami Children’s Hospital) for over 12 years now. They were the first big account I landed shortly after launching my video production business in 2006. Over the years, I’ve been able to help tell many different stories that illustrate how remarkable this hospital is (nationally ranked in 5 pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report). I’ve been inside operating rooms (heart, brain and spinal, to name a few) and have interviewed doctors, children and their parents. But when I was contacted by the marketing department with a new video idea, I knew this project would be a unique experience.

The Coronavirus pandemic has affected us all since it put a chokehold on the world back in February. Nowhere was that impact felt stronger than on the world’s hospitals and medical staff. With so little information about the virus, no cure, treatment or tests available, and so much panic, hospitals everywhere were literally making things up as they went along. Every day was a challenge – even for the region’s most respected children’s hospital.

The idea for this video was to have a cross-section of the hospital’s medical staff share their experiences dealing with this pandemic – from its onset to where we are today. From the Emergency Room to the Infectious Disease Department, these are the stories of a hospital that was turned upside down by the Coronavirus. It’s also the story of how this very same hospital came together as a team to fight the pandemic head on.

Eleven physicians were interviewed (I shot and interviewed all but Dr. Valeron and all b-roll shots were provided by the hospital) and then it was time to edit one of the more important videos I’ve ever produced. Here it is – I hope you enjoy it. In the meantime, this Coronavirus pandemic is still upon us, so in the immortal words of Sergeant Phil Esterhaus, “Let’s be careful out there.”
NOTE: The video kicks off with introductions by doctors Maria Franco (President of the Medical Staff) and Chad Perlyn (Interim President, Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists). The stories start at the 2:20 mark. Enjoy…

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians and more than 475 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children’s Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine.

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VACC Camp
BlogCorporateShort FilmsSound and Vision

VACC Camp: Miami’s Most Remarkable Camp for Special Needs Children [VIDEO]

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

For those of you that follow my blog, you know that I’ve been a volunteer at VACC Camp going back 8 years now. I’ve filmed it and I’ve photographed it and I’ll be back this Spring for the 2020 edition of the camp. For those of you who don’t know, VACC Camp is a free week-long overnight camp in Miami for ventilation assisted children (children needing a tracheostomy ventilator, C-PAP, BiPAP, or oxygen to support breathing) and their families. Overnight campers come from throughout the United States and internationally.

South Florida families and youngsters from local residential care facilities join in as day campers. The unique camp, hosted by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, is a life-changing experience for not only the special needs campers but the many young volunteers who give up their Spring Break in South Florida to be of service to the camp.

I’ve completed a short video that better illustrates what this camp is all about and I’m also in the process of editing a feature documentary film about VACC Camp that I’ve been working on the past four years (hoping to have it completed by the fall). Enjoy the video – and please feel free to share it. For more information or to donate to this truly remarkable camp, visit vaccamp.com.

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BlogCorporate

From Guatemala to Miami: Mayra’s Story (Video)

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

I’ve been producing videos for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation for over 10 years and in that time I’ve been fortunate to help tell so many remarkable stories and Mayra’s story is no exception.

Mayra is a two-year-old girl who was born in Guatemala with a case of cloacal malformation, a rare developmental disorder that affects nearly one in every 50,000 babies. Mayra’s life was at risk due to impending renal failure and the lack of resources at her hospital in Guatemala. Mayra’s mother had no choice but to leave Guatemala and travel thousands of miles to Miami where she was admitted to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Under the care of the hospital’s Colorectal Center, Mayra underwent an extremely complicated surgery.

What happened? Watch the video below to find out…

Consider making a donation that could help save the lives of children like Mayra. Visit nicklauschildrens.org/mayra

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT! FROM NOW UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST, EVERY DOLLAR WILL BE MATCHED, UP TO $50,000 BY KILOWATTS ELECTRIC SUPPLY, CORP.

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with nearly 800 attending physicians and more than 475 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children’s Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many programs routinely ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report.

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BlogPhotographySound and Vision

PSA Bronze Award Winner! Ozone Zone International Photo Competition

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

Yes, I’m a documentary filmmaker (an award-winning one at that – just saying) and yes I butter my bread creating videos for some of the most respected companies and organizations in South Florida (just saying). Yes, I’m a lucky guy, blessed even. That all said, I’m also someone who loves photography. Been working on that “side hobby” for years, snapping photographs wherever I go. One of my favorite places to snap photographs is at VACC Camp, a free week-long overnight camp hosted by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami for ventilation assisted children. It has become my favorite place to be for Spring Break during the past seven years; documenting this remarkable camp through video and photography.

So I am very happy to announce that my photograph, “VACC Camp – Father and Daughter” received the Bronze Award by the Photographic Society of America in the “Love” category in the 5th edition of the Ozone Zone International Photo Competition. Ozone Zone is a publisher of award-winning artistic photography books (coffee table books) that focus on showing the real beauty of our world. In 2014, the company moved from Canada and now make their home in the island republic of Dominica in the Caribbean. The company also promotes fine photography through their annual Ozone Zone International Photo Competition. Head of the jury is award-winning photographer Derek Galon.

I submitted the photograph way back in September of 2017 but judging was postponed due to hurricane Maria, which ravaged the whole Caribbean. Using a generator and working in a house with a damaged roof, jurors were able to finish judging and announced winners back in April. I figured it was time to let the proverbial cat out of the bag as it is an accomplishment (my first photography award) that I am very proud of; and that it was a photograph from a camp that is so near and dear to my heart, made it extra special.

You can find a very elegant online flip-through catalogue of all winning works HERE (and man, there are some truly amazing photographs in there – not sure how mine made it into the mix but I’ll take it!). If viewing this post on a mobile phone, click THIS LINK.

My winning photograph is below (you can find it in the catalogue under the “Love” category which starts on page 59), feel free to view my other photography work HERE. And if you want to learn more about (or to support) VACC Camp, visit their site at vacccamp.com and feel free to view my other VACC Camp photographs and videos HERE.

Ozone Zone International Photo Competition

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Nicklaus Children's Hospital
BlogCorporateMiami Children's HospitalShort FilmsSound and Vision

Camp Superstar: A Special Weekend for Children with Cleft Lip and Palate

by Dan Perez
written by Dan Perez

Started nearly two decades ago, Camp Superstar is a special weekend camp in South Florida for children born with a cleft lip or cleft palate (birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy). For one unforgettable weekend, the campers participate in arts and crafts, dance parties, sports and karaoke and are reminded that “just because you have scars, that doesn’t mean you can’t smile.” The weekend also allows for parents to join with other parents and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital medical professionals to discuss their children’s conditions.

Many of these children face speech and language delays, difficulty eating, severe dental problems and many of them require complex craniofacial surgeries to repair these abnormalities. Moreover, they have to deal with alienation and bullying at school because of their facial disfigurements; it takes a toll on the child as well as their family. But at Camp Superstar, they are surrounded by other children going through these very same challenges and during the weekend, they learn and gain support from one another.

I had the opportunity to document this remarkable camp for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and watching these children and their families engage with one another is something I’ll never forget. Enjoy the video and please feel free to share and spread the word about this life-changing camp. Moreover, please consider making a gift today to help support Camp Superstar and help give more children born with cleft lips and cleft palates a better chance at life. Here’s the link: www.nicklauschildrens.org/superstar

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Camp Superstar: A Special Camp for Children with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate from DanPerezFilms on Vimeo.

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