As we celebrate NeuroKids’ five-year anniversary, we are honored to spotlight the incredible partners who have stood alongside us from the very beginning. Among them, the Ling family has been a steadfast source of encouragement, vision, and generosity. From their first introduction to NeuroKids’ mission, Kurt and Michelle Ling recognized the transformative potential of bringing life-saving care to children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida around the world. Their unwavering support reflects not only a belief in the mission, but also a deep compassion for the children and families whose lives have been forever changed.
How did you first learn about NeuroKids?
As Derek first told us about a NeuroKids vision alongside Dr Warf, Michelle and I looked at each other with a smile and said “next-level” to each other. Even before the full strategy was in place, we knew Derek and Dr. Warf would assemble a world-class team with the expertise and innovation to tackle a problem deeply personal to them and largely unaddressed on a global scale.
What initially inspired you to support NeuroKids?
We love to support people with passion and purpose. What makes NeuroKids so unique is that it can scale to the size of the world wide challenge by not only doing good work one child at a time but mentoring and training doctors to multiply its effort and reach to the matter. NeuroKids has gathered together the finest people in the world in this field of expertise in its own leadership, and in-country doctors and experts on the subject of hydrocephalus and spina bifida to serve and solve a highly treatable problem in the places that it occurs. It seems so logical until anyone digs into this subject to realize a procedure exists to virtually eliminate a problem but the problem exists where pediatric neurosurgeons do not generally live and are not trained on the very procedure to solve the diagnosis. Insert NeuroKids to put the right method into the right hands of pediatric neurosurgeons in the right places in the world.
What keeps you connected and engaged with our mission?
As I write this, NeuroKids does work in 14 countries after just a few short years of working. I remember when it was five countries and then ten countries. Twenty countries are on the horizon. Most companies I know are neither this focused, agile, strategic or execute with as much excellence.
Over 2,000 kids have not only had their life saved but did not endure the excruciating pain that would have taken place had they not had surgeries. 2000 kids means there are 4,000 parents and 8,000 grandparents who did not have to lose a child or grandchild or watch them suffer. And, that’s before we realize in many places in the world, not only would a child have died but a family would have been shunned or lived in disgrace by no fault of their own.
Is there a specific moment, story, or experience that stands out to you in your journey as a donor?
Absolutely. We supported the surgery of a child with hydrocephalus and I was able to hold that beautiful and healthy child in my arms months later after the surgery at her home around the globe. Her parents threw a party for us along with their relatives and part of their village. Her one face and her two parents’ faces represent every single “one” NeuroKids saves. These are not data points for us and they are not “somebodies, somewhere” for us. They are kids with eyes and little noses, little ears, little fingers and little toes. And, their parents. And, their grandparents and their village. If it were not for NeuroKids, these kids would most likely, if not absolutely die a painful death even though they live in a world that has a solution and doctors, but not near where the problem exists.
We also love being part of the NeuroKids family. We always remark as we meet anyone associated with NeuroKids that they are some of the finest people we know in every possible way.
What would you say to others who are considering supporting NeuroKids?
There are so many places to invest in the world. Many good places.
We are drawn to supporting children and families who often remain unseen by the wider world, yet who hold incredible strength, hope, and potential. The families NeuroKids serves matter deeply to us. With timely access to care, their children not only survive but thrive, growing up to bring joy and possibility to their loved ones and communities. Hydrocephalus and spina bifida may not be widely known or visible in our daily lives, but solutions exist, and NeuroKids ensures those solutions reach the places where they are most needed. What inspires us is that a life-changing treatment transforms futures: children go on to live happy, healthy lives, parents are spared unimaginable grief, and entire communities are uplifted. It is an honor to play even a small part in connecting those dots.
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The Ling family’s journey with NeuroKids embodies what makes this community so powerful: people who see a problem, believe in a solution, and commit themselves to ensuring every child has the chance to grow up healthy and whole. As we mark five years of healing kids and restoring hope, we celebrate donors like the Lings who make this work possible. Their partnership continues to help NeuroKids train doctors, expand access, and bring hope to families across the globe. Join families like the Lings in giving children everywhere the chance to thrive—make a gift to NeuroKids. Donate today
