Healing the Children started in 1974 with the story of a little girl named Lori Jo.  Lori Jo was abandoned, sick, and malnourished.  Her chances of surviving were not good at all.   All it would have taken to save her was five dollars of medicine. 

When Cris and Gary Embleton heard about Lori Jo they fought to save her live.  However, it was too late and Lori Jo died just days before her first birthday.

Several years later, Cris and Gary  had heard about another little girl named Heidi who needed heart surgery that  was unavailable to her in her native country.  The Embleton's were determined not to let what happened to Lori Jo happen to Heidi.  They called around and were able to set up the logistics to have Heidi flown to the United States for treatment.    Heidi made the trip, and the surgery was successful.

By 1979, calls were pouring in from all over the world asking for help.  As a result the Embleton's, along with Naomi Bronstein, and Maureen O'Keefe formed the organization that Healing the Children has become today.

Today, 13 Chapters operate in 24 States along with many contacts in countries all over the world.   As an organization we are truly fulfilling the vision of our founders which is "Healing the Children, One Child at a Time!"

To learn more about the work of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter please feel free to look around our website.