Operation Smile is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a yearlong series of events in the U.S. and abroad.
To increase awareness about the urgency of the problem cleft lip and cleft palette, Operation Smile is launching a global campaign entitled Change Forever. Operation Smile’s programs are designed to create a permanent global impact and create self-sufficiency in developing countries, according to the organization.
In October and November, more than 350 medical professionals from all over the world are volunteering for a series of anniversary surgical missions in the Philippines, where Operation Smile first started. From November 8-18 and November 22 to December 2, 2012, Operation Smile will provide approximately 16,000 healthcare evaluations and 1,400 life-changing reconstructive surgeries in 24 days through eight surgical sites.
The Change Forever global campaign will also include other events, such as the following:
A large-scale awareness campaign about craniofacial malformations to increase information for families in the U.S. who are affected by orofacial clefts, healthcare providers, and school professionals
An online and social media campaign featuring world-renowned athlete Tony Hawk, which encourages individuals to take a pledge, share their smile, and help create greater awareness of clefting and the impact a smile can make in changing a child’s life
Youth initiatives, including the 22nd annual International Student Leadership Conference in Virginia, where more than 600 students from over 20 countries will develop their philanthropic leadership skills
