30 years of smiles

MANILA, Philippines - Operation Smile, an international children’s medical charity that traces its roots to the Philippines, will hold a series of activities to mark the charity’s 30th anniversary with 10 missions scheduled in nine different sites across the country for three weeks and participated in by a thousand volunteers from 30 countries for its homecoming dubbed as “The Journey Home.”

In a video message, Operation Smile founders Bill and Kathy Magee expressed their gratitude to Filipinos for their hospitality and support, as the couple recalled the beginnings of the organization when they visited the Philippines for a one-time medical mission in Naga City in 1982. Around 300 families, hoping to avail of free surgery for their children, trooped to the medical mission site. The Magees and their team, however, were only able to accommodate 40 children that day.

In all likelihood, the mission would have ended that day – were it not for a woman, whose child was unfortunately not accommodated, who brought a bunch of bananas which she insisted the Magee couple take to show her gratitude for the help given to the other children. That simple gesture tugged at the couple’s hearts, inspiring them to mobilize support for another medical mission the next year. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Operation Smile has grown, conducting surgical missions in over 60 countries with a global network of more than 5,000 volunteers from 80 countries. It has provided over two million comprehensive health care evaluations and over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with clefts, of which more than 24,000 are Filipinos.

 “It’s both our responsibility and delight to come together and thank the Filipinos for inspiring the birth of Operation Smile,” said Magee, co-founder and executive chairman of Operation Smile, Inc. (OSI), the mother organization headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. 

The recent launch took an even more touching turn when former beneficiary and now Operation Smile Ambassador Chadleen Lacdo-o recalled her ordeal as a young child with cleft palate teased by her peers, and her dream of being gnormal-looking. h Today, Chadleen is living her dream – moving the audience to tears when she serenaded them and reached out to five-year-old Angel, a young Operation Smile patient.

Corporate sponsor and supporter PLDT and Smart, represented by public affairs head Mon Isberto, urged the audience to indicate their support for Operation Smile by signing their names on the pledge wall. Isberto noted the importance of helping out those who cannot afford the procedures.

Joaquin Quintos, chairman of Operation Smile Philippines (OSP), expressed appreciation for the 30th anniversary plans. “It is indeed a very significant move for OSI to celebrate the organization fs 30th year here in the Philippines. We are privileged and honored to host ‘The Journey Home‘.”

“It is touching how the mother organization OSl continues to give back to the country where it began. It is truly a fitting tribute to the country and the Filipinos are equally grateful for this,” said Roberto Manzano, OSP president and executive director.

The schedule of gThe Journey Home” is as follows: Oct. 26-31 in South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, Koronadal; Nov. 8-18 in Bicol Medical Center, Naga City; Mother Theresa of Calcutta Medical Center, San Fernando, Pampanga; Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital, Silay City, Negros Occidental; Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Cagayan de Oro City; Nov. 22-Dec. 2 in Sta. Ana Hospital, Manila; De La Salle University Medical Center, Dasmariñas, Cavite; Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City; Socsargen County Hospital, General Santos City.