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
