Bringing smiles to Pinoys kids

MANILA, Philippines –  “My mom started me off volunteering for these Operation Smile Medical Missions. It’s been seven years,” said Kristi Neiswender, a 911 dispatcher from Salt Lake City, Utah. “I was born with a cleft lip, after all. I’ve been where they’re at, and I’d like to give something in return.”

Cradling one-and-a-half-month old Angelo Estomaguio, she goes on to say, “I’m not a doctor but I’m sure Operation Smile can help this little boy lead a more normal life.”

Baby Angelo has a severe case of cleft lip that extends to his right eye, leaving it blind.

As part of its community partnership program Kabalikat, leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. gave its support to Operation Smile Philippines’ third international mission, held last month at the Acute Care Center of Ospital ng Makati. Smart employee volunteers also provided assistance during the mission.

More than 140 individuals with cleft lips and cleft palates, from as young as less than two months old up to 25 years, were screened by Operation Smile doctors and scheduled for surgical procedures.

“Operation Smile International has committed to support half of the funds needed for this mission. The other half has been generously provided by Operation Smile Philippines,” said James Fox, Operation Smile International mission coordinator.

“There’s a ripple effect to those we have helped. Most of the people who have been treated through these missions have one way or another given back. This is my seventh mission, and I can proudly say that the success brought about by their surgeries has allowed people to lead normal lives. We are building future leaders here.”

“Operation Smile is a non-profit organization that provides free treatment for children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. This has given us a special opportunity in making a difference to the lives of others,” Operation Smile Philippines president and executive director Bobby Manzano said.

“The lives transformed after the surgeries have developed my passion for the cause. With the support of various partners such as Smart, we convey our deepest gratitude. We at Operation Smile are also very appreciative of the employee volunteers who have given their time in making this medical mission a successful one.”

To date, Operation Smile has treated 22,924 people in the Philippines.

“This is a good partnership for a worthy cause,” said Smart president and CEO and Operation Smile Philippines board member Napoleon Nazareno. 

“I am happy to note that we also had a number of our employee volunteers on hand to help out during this weeklong medical mission.”

Operation Smile only needs P15,000 for each surgery for a cleft lip or cleft palate, largely due to volunteer doctors who render their services without charge. Operation Smile sources the funds from corporate sponsors and donations. Patient beneficiaries are not charged anything. Operation Smile’s support includes screening, medicine, laboratory expenses, surgery, hospital stay, as well as take-home medicine.

The Operation Smile International Surgical Mission’s goal is to provide new smiles and new lives for children living with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

In the Philippines, the incidence of oral cleft is estimated at one in every 500 live births, which means that roughly 4,004 Filipino babies out of the estimated 2.064 million born every year, either have a cleft lip or cleft palate or both. 

Operation Smile was founded by Dr. William Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker. In 1982, the Magees traveled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children’s cleft lips and cleft palates. They discovered hundreds of children ravaged by deformities, and although they helped many children, the volunteers were forced to turn away the majority of those who sought help. The Magees saw the need and Operation Smile was born.