SMILE FOUNDATION

 

Smile foundation is a non-profit foundation that was initiated in 2002 when a group of friends came together with the intention of giving back to the society. We believe that making a real difference is about bringing the right people together at the right time. our non-profit organization is able to facilitate expert surgical intervention, pre and post-operative care for children living with facial paralysis, cleft lip and cleft palate, craniofacial abnormalities, as well as ear, nose, hand conditions, and burn wounds.

VISSION

We help children live a life inspired by confidence and possibility no matter the circumstances.

MISSION

We transform the lives of children affected by facial abnormalities and severe burns through the best possible surgical and psychological care.

CONTACT US 

TELEPHONE

+27 10 753 3034

WEBSITE

smilefoundation.org

EMAIL

info@smilefoundation.org

ADDRESS

Ground floor

Westwood block 57

6th Road

Hyde park

JOIN US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/smilefoundation.2023

TWITTER

https://twitter.com/@smilefo42400981

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/smilefo42400981

YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/@smilefoundation-bn8ki?noapp=1

OUR SUCCESSFUL STORIES

LOGAN PETZER

Logan was born on the 11 January 2018 with a cleft lip & palate. This little hero has undergone 2 surgeries, one to correct his cleft lip and the second to repair his cleft palate. He has just undergone his 18 month check-up & look at the transformation.

PRINCESS

Since 2013, we have been supporting a young girl by the name of Princess. She was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. When Princess was just 4 months old, she received her first surgery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Up until now Princess has undergone three operations

one cleft lip repair and two cleft palate repairs.

She was due for her fourth surgery last year, which has been postponed because of Lockdown, as all elective surgeries were put on hold.

When Princess was born, her mother Sylvia was very shocked and emotional and did not expect her baby to be born with a cleft lip and palate as she had three healthy kids before. Her husband didn’t take it well and wanted to hide Princess and not let people see her because of the stigma attached to being born with an abnormality.

Princess is now 7 years of age, she is thriving, she exceptionally confident, she loves talking and interacting with other people and gives the biggest hugs.

BABY ALEX

Baby Alex, a bright and cheerful baby boy was born with a cleft lip. He received surgery at R.M.S.A.H (Kimberley Hospital). It is an absolute privilege to see baby Alex after his surgery. Such a special boy who gets to fit in like every other child.

LUNA

Luna, a 14-month old baby who was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome – a complex genetic disorder in which certain bones in the skull join together in early development. This prevents the skull from growing normally, affecting the shape of the head and face sometimes causing increased pressure around the brain. If left untreated, Pfeiffer Syndrome can cause developmental complications such as raised intra-cranial pressure causing recurrent headaches and problems with vision.

Through cranial remodeling, Luna’s skull was re-shaped to allow more room for her brain to grow. Surgery was also crucial under the age of two as Luna’s bones are still soft and pliable, which will make them easier to move to create a normal head shape. This specialized surgery has given Luna a far better start in life.

SMILE FOUNDATION SCHEDULE FOR ANNUAL EVENTS

Smile Movie Night

Join us as we host Smile Movie Night Under the Stars at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens on 25th February 2023.

Bring your family and friends and enjoy the most talked about animation Encanto.

Limited tickets are available at only: Adults (ages 13+) – R100 pp Kids (under 12) – R50 pp Free for kids under the age of 3

Book now to avoid disappointment

Milky Lane Smile Foundation SPINATHON

Milky Lane Smile Foundation SPINATHON, in association with The Herald Cycle Tour 2023

You are invited to join us at Pollock Beach in Gqeberha on Saturday 18 February 2023 between 08h00 and 12h00 for the annual Smile Foundation Spinathon.

Get in on the action and spin for an hour to create smiles that will last a lifetime.

• R160 secures your seat, book online
• Great Goody bags for all participants
• Prizes galore
• Limited availability of 50 bikes per hour.
• Online Entries close on Thursday 16 February.

Click Here to Register

PRESS REALESE

DATE : 04 FEBRUARY 2023

TO : ALL MEDIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Smile Foundation is celebrating turning 22 by bringing more than just smiles to children as they venture into burn reconstructive surgeries.

In celebrating this milestone, the foundation which performs life saving surgeries on its little patients has also changed its look. CEO at Smile Foundation Kim Robertson Smith said the foundation’s aim has always been to perform magic and change children's lives. “The reason why we focus on young children is because before a child who is born with a facial deformity reaches the age of 5 or 6 they do not know they are different,” she said. “And that’s where Smile wants to position themselves, where we come in as the magicians, assisting the kids to live their life as normal as possible, because we all know the teasing usually happens when they reach school.” Robertson said that is why they encourage parents to get their kids referred when they are young enough to get surgeries done. “We love seeing them smile, we love seeing you smile, because the truth is a whole family is affected with a child with a facial deformity.” Over the past 21 years, Smile has operated on more than 4 000 children and plans to reach even more in the coming years. Robertson added: “While Smile Foundation still exclusively assists children with critical surgeries, we are changing our focus from being solely facial anomaly surgery to include burn reconstructive surgery, given the vast number of children affected by burns due to illegal connections or hot water falling on them. “Practical and psychological parental support in both case has become an imperative for which we are also deepening our commitment. “These aspects are reflected in our new mission statement: to transform the lives of children affected by facial abnormalities and severe burns through the best possible surgical and psychological care.” For media enquiries contact: Mr Toni Public relations practitioner +27 10 753 3034

toni@smilefoundationsa.org

END