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Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation of Smiles

As you may have seen in a recent post, I have been asked to be on the Board of Directors for the Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation of Smiles. I am so honored to accept this position and I can't wait to get the ball rolling and dive in! I thought it might be appropriate to let everyone know a little more about the Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation of Smiles. I thought it might also be a great way to reach out to all my cleft and craniofacial families that I have met in the past month!!!!

The Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation of Smiles began in 2009, and their mission is "to educate and bring awareness to others around the world whose lives are being touched by cleft lip and/ or palate and other Craniofacial anomalies by providing Support, Education, Advocacy, and Research."

My title on the board will be National Newsletter Coordinator. I have been brain storming lately on a way to keep all my cleft and craniofacial families connected and reach out to them. So as the creator of the Foundation and I were chatting one day, I happen to mention the idea I had of starting some sort of news letter. I, however, lacked the platform to be able to take on such a huge responsibility. Rachel then called me a few days later and pitched the idea of giving me the platform to coordinate the newsletter! My responsibilities will include gathering and approving the information that goes into the newsletter and the layout and design. I am so thrilled and honored to be asked to undertake such a huge and fulfilling responsibility.

Through the Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation of Smiles, families can learn a lot of information about clefts, find local support groups, apply for assistance in purchasing special feeders, read smile stories of children with craniofacial differences, learn about IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act) and IEP's (Individualized Education Plans) for children who will need special education in the school system, and sign your child up to receive cards from foundation members during hospital stays, to name a few things.

The Foundation is an ever growing and adapting foundation that is always finding new ways to reach out to its families to provide support, education, advocacy, and research. It is also a VAST resource. The Foundation provides tons of useful information to its members as well. It is a must-have resource for all craniofacial and cleft families!

I encourage all of my craniofacial and cleft families to join this foundation and begin reaping the benefits of this amazing organization!

You can find the Foundation's website at www.cleftsmile.org.
You can also join their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rachel.mancuso1

Please also visit the Cleft Lip & Palate Foundation of Smiles donation page. The Foundation is about to begin a campaign fundraisier to raise $25,000 to help it's member families in need!!!!
http://www.cleftsmile.org/about-us/make-a-donation/

Comments

  1. Jennifer JulianJune 3, 2012 at 7:28 PM

    Thx Lacey! Is the newsletter online or will it be mailed out?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 3, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    Lacey..

    I have been a member of Cleft Smiles for about a year. Your summary of what the organization does is beautiful. I know you will have much to offer to this very special cause..and it looks like the forum of reaching out to others by newsletter will suit you perfectly. I look forward to your newsletters..

    Marcella Morris

    ReplyDelete
  3. TaliaJune 7, 2012 at 6:38 AM

    Dear Lacey,
    I am new to your blog. I just found out about Christian's story this morning almost by hazard and I could not stop reading your blog. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to "meet" him and you through the videos, the pictures and your blog. Christian is so beautiful inside and out!His smile is so warm and truly melts my heart. You could really feel through the pictures how much he is loved and cared for and how much he’s a happy child despite all the fights he has to battle. He’s a real fighter, such a strong little brave man!
    You are a fantastic mother and a role model for all of us. Thank you for sharing your precious bundle of joy, his developments and his adventures with us.
    Your family will be in my night prayers from now on.
    Congratulations for your new role in Cleft Smiles. I look forward to your newsletters too.
    Lots of love, Talia

    ReplyDelete

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