“We believe that all children deserve to live their lives with dignity. And for those suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate, or other facial deformities, dignity begins with a smile.” – Operation Smile
For children who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities, their imperfect smiles are a cause of social stigma and bullying. In addition, such deformities also keep them from living a normal life. Everyday activities such as eating, speaking, and smiling are greatly affected.
Knowing a single smile can heal hearts and inspire others, Operation Smile has pledged to bring the gift of smile to children with facial deformities. Founded in 1982, Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity that “heals children’s smiles, forever changing their lives.” More than a charity and an NGO, Operation Smile is driven by medical professionals and caring hearts with the interests of the children at the top of their list.
In a span of 30 years, Operation Smile has provided more than 3.5 million comprehensive patient evaluations and over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults with facial deformities in over 60 countries. To date, the foundation continues its mission, taking one step at a time in bringing the gift of smile.
Many big names have been supporting Operation Smile through the years. Celebrities like Jessica Simpson, entrepreneurs like
Alex von Furstenberg, and corporations like Johnson & Johnson have been helping Operation Smile bring new life to children around the world.
This website lists the different organizations that Alex von Furstenberg supports.
