The Board of Trustees for PPA Charities has chosen Operation Smile to be their charitable partner for three years. Operation Smile was founded in 1982 by Dr. William Magee, Jr. a plastic surgeon and his wife Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker. Since that time more than 90,000 children have been treated for facial deformities such as cleft lips and cleft palates. In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child's life forever. The average cost per surgery is $240.
Operation Smile's mission: "Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable health care systems for children and families. Together, we create smiles, change lives, heal humanity."
Operation Smile coordinates more than 25 medical missions to sites in 23 countries annually. There are 21 International Foundations responsible for logistics, fund-raising, and awareness and serve as hosts for the international medical mission teams.
More than 250 Student Associations around the world instill a spirit of volunteerism and educate students about the values of commitment and leadership.
More than 550 health care professionals have attended the Physicians' Training Program in Norfolk, VA which trains surgeons from around the world in specialized surgical skills. For more information about Operation Smile, visit their website at www.operationsmile.org
PPA Charities donated $10,000 to Operation Smile during a special event at Emeril's New Orleans in January at IUSA 2005. These funds from the PPA Charities perpetual fund were made possible by the generous support of PPA members, vendors, and suppliers.
To learn more about PPA Charities, visit our website at charities.ppa.com.
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