Children’s Lifeline™ has sent international medical missions around the world for thirty years. The sole purpose is to come to the aid of children in developing countries with lifesaving surgery and clinical care. While in the past, Children's Lifeline has focused on pediatric cardiac problems, we currently embrace many other disciplines including; cranio-facial, neurosurgery, rehabilitation and clinical problems such as waterborne diseases and their causes. The majority of medical care is to children with heart problems. Many of the doctors and teams are specialists in pediatric cardiology. They perform invasive surgeries and noninvasive procedures.

Physicians and their team of nurses and medical specialists choose to use their vacation time to treat the less fortunate around the world while teaching the procedures to the members of the Host Hospital. Their missions are completely voluntary and they do not receive compensation.

Children’s Lifeline International^® sends medical mission teams from some of the top teaching hospitals across the United States multiple times per year to developing areas in over 22 countries. Many missions make annual trips. The goal is to save and teach. The instruction on the “how” to perform the surgery is a very important part of the mission. The US doctors and nurses work with the staff at the Host Hospitals guiding them on procedures and post care.