Smile Train Philippines reaches 20,000th free cleft surgery

Carrying out its mission of changing the world one smile at a time, Smile Train Philippines recently gave its 20,000th free cleft surgery to 4-year old Edward Pastidio of Marikina City. With the help of Smile Train partner St. Vincent General Hospital in Marikina, little Edward has been given a newfound confidence and is ready to face the world.  

 

“Smile Train believes that every child born with a cleft deserves the opportunity to live a full and productive life. This global organization aims to reach poor communities and families that do not have access to medical care, and bridge the gap between the cleft child and a simple surgery that will change his life,” said Kimmy Flaviano, Country Manager, Smile Train Philippines.  

 

Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft charity that helps children in over 80 countries by providing free cleft lip and palate surgery to children from underprivileged families. In the Philippines, Smile Train partner hospitals and surgeons perform an average of 14 cleft-related surgeries daily. In the past 12 months, Smile Train Philippines performed more than 5,000 surgeries nationwide. This month, Smile Train Philippines has reached the 20,000 mark with the surgery performed on Edward. “We are very happy and proud to have reached this smilestone.    Helping thousands of Filipinos born with cleft lips and palates inspires us to do even more. This is why we strive to sustain and continually expand our local operations and we are very thankful for the support of our partner hospitals and organizations nationwide. Our goal is to give every underprivileged Filipino child born with a cleft a brighter future,” Flaviano added.    

A brighter future ahead

 

When Edward came to the Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital for his pre-surgery check-up, the doctors immediately noticed the little boy’s excitement and awareness of things to come. “Most of the children we see for cleft surgery are very quiet and shy prior to the operation. Edward is a bundle of joy,” said one of the pediatricians at the hospital. The mother of Edward shared that even at such a young age Edward is already aware of his condition and understands the importance of the operation.  

 

Edward seemed just like any other little boy his age – hyperactive, curious, playful. He turned 4 last April and already has dreams of becoming a basketball player.  He likes to draw and is looking forward to going to school. When asked if he were already attending school, Edward answered, “Hindi, dahil di pa ako natahi (No, because my lip hasn’t been sewn yet)”.  

 

Edward is but one of over 4,000 children in the Philippines born with cleft lip and palate every year. With no means of paying for the operation to correct this defect, Edward’s parents have had to watch their youngest child grow up being taunted by the neighborhood children. And with a heavy heart, the family has had to keep Edward from going to school in fear of the battles he would have to face every day.   

 

More than just the isolation and humiliation, and the stigma attached to this defect, children who suffer from unrepaired cleft lips and palates also have to endure physical difficulties and side effects such as speech and language delay, ear infections and hearing loss, and dental problems. These complications make it difficult for a child to go out into the world and lead a normal life.  

 

As Smile Train Philippines’ 20,000th beneficiary, Edward’s four-year life struggle has finally come to an end. The Pastidio family is very happy and excited to enrol Edward in the coming school year. With a new smile, an enhanced positive outlook, and a healthier overall well-being, Edward begins his new journey to make his dreams come true.  

 

“Sa wakas, makakapasok na ako sa skul (At last, I can go to school),” a gleeful Edward said. 

 

For more information on Smile Train Philippines, and how you can avail of a free surgery, call or send a message to 0917-52-TRAIN (0917-5287246).   Press release and photos from Smile Train Philippines