Operation Happenis

Operation Happenis was created to (1) increase public awareness of penis birth defects, so that patients and parents will not feel ashamed or isolated by these common conditions; (2)provide reliable information to better understand what is wrong and what can be done; (3) promote well-done clinical studies to learn more about these conditions and their treatment worldwide.

Operation Happenis is a charity that serves across the lifespan of a male, from infancy to adulthood, as well as their families. This is a birth defect so the majority of the population served begins at infancy; however, as we raise awareness about hypospadias, more adult males are realizing that there is help to surgically correct their hypospadias that they did not previously know about.

Our biggest goals currently are (1) to raise awareness about penis birth defects so we can improve the lives of boys and men affected by this common condition and provide a support system for their families; (2) to expand care for boys with severe hypospadias or unsuccessful prior operations on the penis; (3) to help surgeons worldwide improve hypospadias surgery in both children and adults. We have created a parent-to-parent network as a resourse for all families affected by this birth defect. Our goal is to match families with those who have a similar hypospadias diagnosis and/or similiar surgery experience so they can gain support not only from professionals but also families who have been through this. Long term goals include providing underpriveledged families the opportunity to have their son's hypospadias surgically corrected that couldn't otherwise afford it.

Our Needs

27 baby boys in the United States and 900 baby boys in the world are born DAILY with hypospadias. A boy is born roughly every 90 seconds with hypospadias! This is more than cleft lip/palate, spina bifida and down syndrome; yet, no one talks about it. There are so few resources available for families from education to support. Our greatest mission is to change this and the stigma surrounding this birth defect so families can be prepared and know where to turn for the best medical advice, education, direction and surgeon when they hear their newborn has hypospadias.

1 in 200 boys are born with hypospadias. This means that out of the roughly 3.4 million males in DFW, 17,000 were born with this birth defect and this number continues to grow each year! There is no other charity like ours to provide support, education, and resources to these families. Most families have never heard of this birth defect and are devastatingly isolated, alone and scared when they receive this diagnosis usually before they even leave the hopsital after having their son. Many families never even tell friends or family.

Any and all donations help our current needs of (1) raising awareness within our community and beyond as this is a world wide birth defect; (2) providing support to patients and families; (3) providing accurate education regarding this birth defect so families can choose the most knowledgeable surgeon for surgery; (4) promote well-done clinical studies; (5) providing bears for the Down There Bear project based on our children's book, How Down There Bear Got Repaired.