The Henry James Fund

The CFD Foundation was formed in June 2024 to begin fundraising for children and their families impacted by Congenital Femoral Deficiency; a congenital limb deformity affecting the thigh bone, resulting in an underdeveloped hip, short thigh bone and an increasing leg-length discrepancy. Children with CFD require multiple limb-reconstructive surgeries to correct deformities in the hip and potentially in the knee and ankle, to then begin lengthening the leg.

There are very few disabilities where surgery can play a role in correcting the core impairment, however thanks to innovative surgeries offered at the Paley Clinic in West Palm Beach, Florida, children and can and have the opportunity to undergo limb-saving, life-changing surgery and rehabilitation. Our focus is on helping one child/family at a time receive this life-changing treatment. Whether it's a Rotationplastly, a SUPERHip, a SUPERKnee procedure or a leg-lengthening, we want to support families in pursuing alternative options to amputation; which remains the most common intervention undertaken.

Because CFD is so rare and its treatment relatively new, adequate treatment in Australia is not currently offered. For now, the best available treatment is available overseas at medical tourism centres like the Paley Clinic, West Palm Beach, Florida. The CFD Foundation also prides itself on providing education and advocacy for CFD so that families can make informed decisions surrounding their child's treatment.