San Francisco’s Alliance for Smiles Expands Its Global Reach
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David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
Erin Saberi (916) 952-5080 / erin@davidperry.com
San Francisco’s Alliance for Smiles Expands Its Global Reach
– New Programs Will Give New Smiles To Thousands Of Cleft Palate Children inCentral America, Africa and the Philippines
Tuesday, July 30 will see San Francisco City Hall Lit to Honor Cleft Awareness and Alliance for Smiles 15th Anniversary
26 July 2019 — San Francisco, CA: As we come to the end of July — National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month — Alliance for Smiles (www.allianceforsmiles.org), the San Francisco-based global organization providing sustainable cleft-palate treatment and support worldwide, is pleased to announce the expansion of its global missions to include Central America, Africa and a return to the Philippines, with a first time mission to Manila.
AFS has worked for 15 years in 15 countries and is now pleased to be increasing its presence and support for children with new missions to Guatemala, Honduras and Egypt. Alliance For Smiles is bringing its sustainable treatment model that builds capacity for continued life changing treatment to Retalhuleu, Guatemala on September 13th, to Aswan, Egypt on November 3rd and to Honduras in the spring, 2020. Additionally, a return mission is planned to the Philippines after a ten-year hiatus, with a first time mission to Manila, September 29th. On July 30, in recognition of Alliance for Smiles’ 15th Anniversary and Cleft Awareness Month, San Francisco City Hall will be lit “hot pink / purple” – the color of Cleft Awareness Ribbons.
“We are delighted to be announcing this life-changing expansion at the culmination of National Cleft Palate Awareness Month,” said Alison Healy, Executive Director of Alliance For Smiles. “Our unique model of cleft palate care works with teams in country to develop a sustainable model of care in country that supports ongoing life-changing care for thousands of children.”
In addition to organizing and sending two-week medical missions of surgical teams comprised of approximately 15 medical volunteers, supported by approximately 5 non-medical volunteers to a country, AFS also works side-by-side with local medical practitioners to exchange ideas on proper medical techniques and procedures, as well as to provide follow-up care. Additionally, the organization also works to build sustainability in country, through the establishment and maintenance of Medical Treatment Centers that provide follow-up and continuing care to children who receive surgery.
Alliance For Smiles has served almost 7,000 children worldwide.
AFS provides care to all patients, regardless of sex, age, economic status, educational background, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity or marital status.
Upcoming Medical Missions
- September 13 — 21, 2019 – Retalhuleu, Guatemala Medical Mission
- September 28– October 13, 2019 – Manila, Philippines Mission
- October 12– 26, 2019 – Yangon, Myanmar Medical Mission
- November 2 — 16, 2019 – Wenzhou China, Teaching Mission
- November 3 — 17, 2019 – Aswan, Egypt Medical Mission
- November 15 – 21, 2019 — Lagos, Nigeria Medical Mission
Learn more at: www.allianceforsmiles.org
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