The Beginning

When Dr. William Jackson and his wife, Audrey, presided over a mission in the Philippines for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1986-1989, they were shocked at the number of children who were suffering with terrible disfiguring disabilities such as hare lips, cleft palates, crossed eyes, and club feet. They wanted to do something to help. With the aid of church leaders and members of the local community, The Mabuhay Deseret Foundation was founded in 1987.

Children came from various places in the islands to a hospice house in Manila, and a surgical program was started at the S. Luke's Hospital. Since then, nearly 35,000 surgeries have been performed in the Philippines at an average cost of less than 40 American dollars. Additional hospital facilities have since been opened in the Philippine cities of Cebu and Davao.

The foundation has expanded into more than 20 countries in one form or another, and has adopted the name of Deseret International Foundation. Through the efforts of the doctors and your help we have been able to provide over 15,000 surgeries a year. It should be noted that 96% of every dollar donated is used directly for patient care.