Every baby is born one-of-a-kind – but let’s be honest, some are so uniquely special that they capture the attention of everyone in the delivery room.
Since Luna Tavares-Fenner’s birth in 2019, her striking appearance and distinctive “Batman birthmark” have drawn fascination from many.
Now, Luna is once again in the spotlight, and for good reason.
Thanks to advanced, groundbreaking surgery, Luna has successfully removed her iconic birthmark. I have a feeling you won’t be able to resist smiling when you see how beautiful this 5-year-old is today.
Luna Tavares-Fenne from Florida is, in many ways, just like any other 4-year-old – full of joy, laughter, and energy.
However, Luna was born with a rare skin condition called congenital melanocytic nevus, which has undoubtedly impacted her and her family.
Her mother, Carol Fenner, was in “shock” after giving birth in 2019. Seeing a dark patch covering much of her baby’s face left her stunned and scared. Luna was born with a black mark that spanned most of her face, resembling a Batman mask.
“I’m used to it now, but at the time, I was just in shock,” Carol told WPLG in 2019.
It’s easy to see why Carol was so taken aback. In a matter of days, the joy of welcoming their daughter turned into deep concern. She had no clue her baby would be born with any differences, as her last ultrasound had shown nothing unusual.
Even the doctors were unsure of the dark patch’s nature for the first four days after Luna’s birth. Fenner shared that Luna was hospitalized for six days while doctors conducted tests to understand her condition.
After extensive research, Luna’s doctors determined that her birthmark could pose serious risks in the future, particularly an increased chance of skin cancer. They advised several surgeries to remove it.
Carol was eager to have her daughter’s “Batman mask” removed, but the process would require at least six complex surgeries. Another major hurdle was the cost—each operation would be around $40,000.
Desperate for a solution, Luna’s mother began searching far and wide for treatment. It was a challenging time for the family.
“We saw a lot of doctors. We went to Boston, Chicago and New York trying to find a better result,” Carol explained.
Carol wanted Luna to have the surgery before starting school, hoping to spare her from potential teasing. Sadly, even at a young age, Luna and her family faced unkind remarks from those who struggled to accept her appearance.
Many parents in Carol’s position might have chosen to avoid the public, but she courageously shared Luna’s journey to raise awareness about her daughter’s condition. She created an Instagram page to give people a glimpse into their everyday life.
As Luna’s story gained international attention, doctors worldwide became aware of her case. One of them was a renowned surgeon in Russia.
After learning about Luna’s situation, oncologist Dr. Pavel Borisovich Popov reached out to Carol and offered a treatment that wasn’t available in the United States.
However, the treatment, known as photodynamic therapy, was expensive, so the family turned to the public for support. They started a fundraiser to help cover the costs, raising $70,000 from generous donors who wanted to assist the little girl.
“Everybody thinks I’m crazy to go to Russia, but I have done a lot of research and gained advice from several doctors and I really think that this is the best option for Luna right now,” Carol shared with SWNS in 2019.
For the past couple of years, Carol and Luna have been traveling to Russia for tests and to begin her treatment. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the family has managed to reach the clinic in Krasnodar. Thankfully, all of Luna’s surgeries so far have been successful.
Moreover, Dr. Pavel Borisovich Popov is extremely pleased with the outcome, stating that Luna’s risk of developing cancer has significantly decreased.
”We only had six operations to remove the nevus and have succeeded in making it disappear,” Dr. Popov shared with East2West News, adding:
”Luna has already started speaking and she says herself: ‘My black spot has gone. I am a princess’.”
According to Dr. Popov, the primary medical procedure has been completed. However, this doesn’t mean Luna’s treatment is fully over.
“We are letting Luna rest from the treatment she has undergone and then we will undertake the aesthetic surgeries. Later we aim to make sure Luna will not have any complexes when she comes to the age where she is concerned about her appearance,” Dr. Popov elaborates.
The family is naturally relieved that everything is progressing well. Luna has shown remarkable courage, facing all her treatments with a smile and inspiring bravery.
Luna’s two years of life so far have been a struggle, but she continues to greet everyone she meets with a smile.
“I don’t regret at all having the treatment here. Luna doesn’t feel the pain. She dances a few hours after the surgery,” Carol says, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Today, the family is excited to reveal Luna’s transformation. She looks incredibly happy, and it’s clear there has been a significant change. Kudos to her determined mother and the exceptional surgeons!
Looking at recent photos of Luna, the results are truly fantastic! I’m so pleased she could have the procedure, especially given how harsh people can be.
