Every child deserves to smile. A smile is a great joy to see. Smiles
make you feel better when you are down. It makes others feel better when
they are down. A smile is the universal hello. You don't have to
understand the language the other person speaks. You don't even have to
speak. The shyest person can smile. A smile says it all. Unfortunately,
some babies are born with a Cleft Lip or a Cleft Palette. It is a
congenital birth defect that happens in 1 in 700 babies. 1 in 10 babies
with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate will die before their first birthday.
When the baby is formed in their mother's womb their mouth or lip does
not form properly leaving a hole. Babies with Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate
have trouble sucking, eating and talking. It can also lead to ear
infections and problems with their teeth. It is definitely curable
through surgery. My sister's best friend in high school's little brother
was born with a Cleft Lip. He had the surgery and I didn't know until
my sister told me. The surgery is pretty easy but not everyone can
afford it.
Thankfully there is an organization called
Operation Smile
who correct Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate for those who can't afford it.
They go to a lot of Third World Countries where a simple surgery is not
an option. Many have never even seen a doctor. Operation Smile not
only helps with providing the surgery but they also provide other
services and information about nutrition and emotional support. The
surgery costs typically $240 per child. Operation Smile has a bunch of
volunteers including doctors to provide these children with a smile.
They rely on donations from caring individuals and businesses. I know
that
Campus Book Rentals is donating a minimum of 80 surgeries by June
2014. They donate to Operation Smile for every text book rented. I think that Operation Smile is an amazing charity and Campus
Book Rentals is awesome for supporting their cause.
