Donato, was a three year old boy from Managua, Nicaragua, who was born without an anus
(a condition known as imperforate anus). Shortly after birth, surgeons in his home country
created a necessary colostomy. However, they were not able to offer him the type of
complex reconstructive surgery required to fabricate a new, functioning anus. Under the
auspices of the Worldwide Children's Foundation of New York, Donato was brought to
New York with his mother. Arrangements were made for them to stay with a host family.
Reconstructive surgery was undertaken by Dr. Lawrence Bodenstein (a WWCF Board
member and Medical Director) at New York University Medical Center. A second operation
was then performed to close the colostomy. Following this Donato was able to return home
without the colostomy and having normal bowel function.