Operation Dez Strong

09/20/2026

Because of YOU, we continue to make a difference. ❤️

Operation Dez Strong is proud to continue supporting amputee children and their families with the medical equipment, prosthetic care, offsetting medical expenses and support they need.

Children grow, but their prosthetic devices don’t grow with them. Medical bills can add up quickly when a child needs a new prosthesis every 6–18 months, creating an ongoing financial burden for families already navigating so much.

Thanks to our amazing donors, we are able to step in and help provide financial relief for the care and equipment these children need to keep moving forward.

To every person who supports Operation Dez Strong, THANK YOU!

Your generosity is making a real difference in the lives of these incredible kids and their families. Together, we can help them move forward with confidence, independence, and hope. 💜💚🦾🦿

09/20/2026

09/11/2026

Happy birthday to our very own Jonathin Perez! From nearly losing his life as a toddler, to an adaptive sports all star as a brand new teenager! We hope this year and all that follow are better than the last.

08/24/2026

Wishing all students, teachers, staff, and families a safe, happy, and successful school year!

Remember to be kind. Be compassionate. Be someone who makes school a better place.

A smile, a kind word, or simply making someone feel seen can make a bigger difference than you realize.

As we start a new school year, we also want to remind everyone to look beyond what they see on the outside, especially when it comes to students living with disabilities.

Jonathin is now 12 years old and heading into his first year of middle school. At 5’10”, his height may be the first thing you notice about him, and his prosthetic leg a close second. But there is so much more to Jonathin than what you can see.

Middle school can be hard enough on its own. Navigating it while having a visible disability can sometimes make a child feel like an outsider or make them feel like they are being defined by something they cannot control.

But Jonathin is so much more than his disability. He is the team captain of his wheelchair basketball team. He plays tennis and the trumpet for his school. And he is entering middle school in all honors classes. You would never know all of that simply by looking at him.

And Jonathin isn’t alone. There are so many incredible young people living with disabilities who walk into classrooms every day carrying stories, talents, dreams, challenges, and accomplishments that you may never know just by looking at them.

So, this school year, don’t make assumptions based on someone’s appearance or visible disability. Take the time to get to know the person. Include them. Talk to them. Invite them to play. Sit with them. Give them the same opportunities to belong that everyone deserves.

Because a disability may be part of someone’s story, but it does not define who they are or what they are capable of.

Kindness matters. Inclusion matters. And every child deserves to feel like they belong.

Here’s to a school year filled with learning, friendship, compassion, and a whole lot of kindness!

07/11/2026

We are incredibly grateful to have been part of the 11th Annual Lodi Elks Lodge #1900 Car Show!

During this amazing community event, Operation Dez Strong was honored to receive an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Community Investments Program Grant. This generous support will help us continue our mission of assisting individuals and families affected by limb loss/limb difference.

A huge thank you to the members of Lodi Elks 1900, the Elks National Foundation, and everyone who helped make this event such a success. Your commitment to giving back strengthens our community and makes a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

This is what community looks like. 💜💚Together, we are creating opportunities, providing support, and helping families move forward with hope and strength.

06/20/2026

We are so very proud to announce that our very first “ODS Kid” Christopher has officially graduated high school! He had a 3.89 GPA, he received his Academic E letter and a scholarship from Marcum Illinois Jr High. While he was accepted into multiple universities, his top picks were Cornell University, Loma Linda University, Nevada University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, UC San Diego, University of Oregon, and Purdue University, the last of which he intends to go to in the fall. He's also planning on doing some rehabilitation and occupational therapy to use his prostheses better. We know he will be successful in this endeavor because we’ve seen how hard he worked to get into these universities. He's proven anything is possible! 🦾🦿💚💜🖤

05/31/2026

May 31 is Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day!

Today, Operation Dez Strong is helping spread awareness about a rare but very serious illness called Necrotizing Fasciitis, sometimes known as a “flesh-eating bacteria” infection.

This disease changed the lives of our founders, Dez and Jonathin, who are both survivors. It took a lot from them, but it never took away their strength, determination, or desire to help others. In fact, their experiences inspired them to create Operation Dez Strong, a nonprofit dedicated to helping amputee children and their families.

While Necrotizing Fasciitis can sound scary, today is also about celebrating hope, courage, and resilience. We want kids and families facing challenges to know that difficult circumstances do not define who you are. With support, determination, and a strong community, amazing things are possible.

As we recognize Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day, we honor survivors, remember those affected by this disease, and continue our mission of helping children overcome obstacles and reach their goals.

From something so difficult came something powerful: a community dedicated to helping kids thrive.

05/28/2026

May is Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Month!

Necrotizing Fasciitis is a devastating disease that changes lives in an instant. It took so much from Jonathin Perez, including part of his leg, but it never took his spirit, his strength, or his determination.

Jonathin is not just a survivor, he’s proof that resilience can outshine even the darkest moments. Instead of letting this terrible disease define him, he chose to rise above it and make something powerful out of his journey just to spite everything it tried to take away.

Jonathin’s story is also part of the reason Operation Dez Strong was created. The organization was founded because of two incredible necrotizing fasciitis survivors (and their parents) who turned pain into purpose and chose to help other children and families facing life-changing challenges.

Today, Jonathin continues to inspire others through his courage, confidence, and refusal to quit. His journey is a reminder that even after unimaginable hardship, there is still purpose, joy, and strength ahead.

Please help spread awareness about Necrotizing Fasciitis, support survivors, and honor the strength of those fighting battles most people have never even heard of.

💚💜

05/13/2026

Look at our girl!

“Kamni Del Barba of Stockton, California, is a wife, mother of two and retired Army combat veteran who works for Stockton Unified. Kamni, a native of India who has lived in Stockton since 1980, is passionate about supporting amputee children and their families after her son, Dez Del Barba, contracted streptococcus A during Army basic training. She spoke to us about what it means to be a mother, her son’s experience and her passion for helping others.”

Thank you Kamni Del Barba for all of your hard work and dedication!! 💚💜

I Love My Community: Kamni Del Barba

Kamni Del Barba of Stockton, California, is a wife, mother of two and retired Army combat veteran who works for Stockton Unified. Kamni, a native of India who has lived in Stockton since 1980, is passionate about supporting amputee children and their families after her son, Dez Del Barba, contracted streptococcus A during Army basic training. She spoke to us about what it means to be a mother, her son’s experience and her passion for helping others.

Q. Describe your career.
A. I served over 20 years in the U.S. military, holding a wide range of positions that spanned logistics, training, recruiting, military intelligence and readiness. I managed operations, ensured mission readiness and led personnel development. I coordinated training programs, supported critical missions under high-pressure conditions, and implemented policies to improve efficiency and effectiveness. My focus was always on preparing individuals to perform at their best and achieve objectives safely and successfully. Today, I work for Stockton Unified School District with their human resources department. I have been with them since my retirement from the military.

Q. Tell us a little about your family.
A. My supportive husband and I have been together for 30 years. We have one son and one daughter.

Q. What does it mean to you to be a mother?
A. It means loving more deeply than I ever imagined. It’s guiding, protecting and supporting while learning from them in return. I celebrate their joys, carry their fears and give a piece of my heart that lasts forever. It’s the most extraordinary love I will ever know.

https://www.herlifemagazine.com/centralvalley/i-love-my-community/i-love-my-community-kamni-del-barba/

04/11/2026