According to a Smile Train (smiletrain.org) release, the Miss Universe Organization and Smile Train has engaged a new charitable partnership to help raise awareness on the issues faced by children living with unrepaired clefts in the developing world, as well as promote the vital cause of celft lip and palate repair and related treatment. The partnership is expected to amplify the shared values of the two organizations centered on empowering children to lead full and productive lives.
Miss Universe President Paula Shugart noted that "Smile Train represents hope, joy, perseverance and transformation." In response, Smile Train CEO Sussannah Schaefer extended Smile Train's gratidue to the Miss Universe Organization. She hoped that the partnership will lead to the mobilization of supporters, both new and old.
During her homecoming to the Philippines, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach had the opportunity to meet Smile Train Philippines Country Director Kimmy Flaviano and some kids who have undergone cleft repair surgery. The meeting was part of Wurtzbach's Charity Day last January 27 wherein she was able to comfort injured soldiers and have a dialogue with people living with HIV. The Cagayan de Oro City beauty also noted that "As Miss Universe, I look forward to lending my voice and a helping hand to continue to raise awareness for children born with cleft lip and palate in the developing world, including my home country - The Philippines".
About Smile Train. Since its founding in 1999, Smile Train has provided more than one million cleft repair surgeries across the world. Millions of children in developing countries with unrepaired clefts live in shame, but more importantly, have difficulty eating, breathing and speaking. Cleft repair surgery is simple, and the transformation is immediate. Smile Train's sustainable model provides training and funding to empower local doctors in the developing world to provide 100%-free cleft repair surgery in their own communities.
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Smile Train January 19 Press Release. The Miss Universe Organization to Support International Cleft Charity Smile Train to Increase Awareness About the Severity of Cleft Lip and Palate. http://www.smiletrain.org/about/press-releases/the-miss-universe-to-support-smile-train.html
Miss Universe President Paula Shugart noted that "Smile Train represents hope, joy, perseverance and transformation." In response, Smile Train CEO Sussannah Schaefer extended Smile Train's gratidue to the Miss Universe Organization. She hoped that the partnership will lead to the mobilization of supporters, both new and old.
During her homecoming to the Philippines, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach had the opportunity to meet Smile Train Philippines Country Director Kimmy Flaviano and some kids who have undergone cleft repair surgery. The meeting was part of Wurtzbach's Charity Day last January 27 wherein she was able to comfort injured soldiers and have a dialogue with people living with HIV. The Cagayan de Oro City beauty also noted that "As Miss Universe, I look forward to lending my voice and a helping hand to continue to raise awareness for children born with cleft lip and palate in the developing world, including my home country - The Philippines".
About Smile Train. Since its founding in 1999, Smile Train has provided more than one million cleft repair surgeries across the world. Millions of children in developing countries with unrepaired clefts live in shame, but more importantly, have difficulty eating, breathing and speaking. Cleft repair surgery is simple, and the transformation is immediate. Smile Train's sustainable model provides training and funding to empower local doctors in the developing world to provide 100%-free cleft repair surgery in their own communities.
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Smile Train January 19 Press Release. The Miss Universe Organization to Support International Cleft Charity Smile Train to Increase Awareness About the Severity of Cleft Lip and Palate. http://www.smiletrain.org/about/press-releases/the-miss-universe-to-support-smile-train.html