Operation smile uk newsletter autum winter 14

>> FIELD UPDATES - THE PHILIPPINES, CHILDREN HELPED: 700

Gift of Smiles

0844 581 1110 • operationsmile.org.uk Charity Reg No.1091316

An update on our recent “mega-mission” to the Philippines Operation Smile began working in the Philippines back in 1982, when cofounders Dr. William and Kathy Magee traveled to Naga City with a group of medical volunteers.

Since then, we’ve had particularly strong ties with the country where our work began. Perhaps that’s why our recent mission to the Philippines was given such a huge amount of energy and dedication by everyone involved.

To give you an idea of the sheer scale of this mission, our usual projects last 10 days in one site and aim to perform surgery on around 125 children. This latest Philippines visit ran in six separate sites and operated on an incredible 751 children. We recruited support from 250 medical volunteers from 19 different countries.

“We haven’t run a medical mission of this size in years,” said Operation Smile co-founder Dr. Magee. “But we have no choice but to do everything we can

What ng volunte erime means to

to help children with cleft abnormalities – especially in such a poor country.”

The mission saw over twelve tons of equipment shipped from our global HQ to the individual missions in the cities of Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, Silay and Samar.

But the scale of any mission will never be as important as the individual children and families who benefit from our supporters’ generosity.

Angelo Escala is four years old and has suffered from a bilateral cleft lip and cleft palate. He lives on Bantayan Island in the Philippines and is the youngest of eight siblings.

When we drove from the ferry to Angelo’s family home, we saw the utter devastation caused

by Typhoon Haiyan.

Many houses had been completely wiped out and there were still several temporary shelters set up for the thousands of people left homeless.

Angelo’s family began

explaining to us how they had hidden under beds when the typhoon hit but the roof collapsed and they became trapped. It was clear to us that even the memory of the storm was terrifying to Angelo and his family.

But despite all the grief and fear in Angelo’s life, Operation Smile’s mission

seemed to offer his family real hope. And amongst all the heartache, there was an underlying feeling that Angelo – who has always been bullied by other children because of this cleft lip – was being offered something life-changing in the operation that he was looking forward to.

>> E VENTS

>> A WORD FROM DUNCAN

A legacy of smiles

Carol concert

An introduction to your newsletter from one of our most generous supporters

Leaving a gift in your will can transform the lives of many children, long into the future

Vicki was part of our recent “Gift of Smiles” mega-mission to the Philippines that’s featured in today’s newsletter.

“I volunteer for Operation Smile because I work with cleft patients here in the UK and can see what a difference it makes to them from such an early age. To be able to be part of a team that makes such a difference to children in other countries who can’t always access medical help is such an honour.

The biggest difference between working in the Philippines and back home (apart from the heat of course) is the volume of children seen in a short space of time. I’m

Discussing wills and what you want to leave behind is never an easy topic. But pledging to support a cause you’re passionate about can be a wonderfully uplifting and positive experience. Here, an Operation Smile supporter, David Robinson, tells our legacy manager about his reasons for supporting us with a gift in his will. “ I have had a successful career and enjoy a comfortable life but as a widower with grown children and grandchildren who are already well supported, I wanted to use

my will to give to my favourite causes.

There are so many causes out there and it can be hard to pick but I looked at the work Operation Smile does and read their accounts, deciding it was a very worthwhile recipient for part of my estate.

Operation Smile can take a vulnerable human being at a young age, suffering from a terrible facial defect and for a small cost they can change that life for good. An operation that enhances a child’s quality of life long-term as well as the training provided and the aftercare is extremely compelling.

I believe a legacy is a fantastic opportunity to positively affect the quality of life of children. And although I will never meet those children, I’m pleased to know I will play a part in their future.”

Legacies are a vital part of our funding and this year we hope to raise at least £40,000 through legacy gifts.

If you want to know more about how you can leave behind a legacy of smiles, call Pippa Fawcett on 0844 581 1110 or visit www.operationsmile.org.uk/legacy

>> E VENTS

Vicki Brown – Child Play Specialist used to working with lots of children but on a mission it’s intense and relentless, although worth every second when you see how thankful the families are.

I met many memorable families in the Philippines but there was one in particular who took a shine to me on screening day. He kept calling me aunty and forcing biscuits and peanuts into my mouth! After his surgery I got chance to say goodbye and he gave me a big hug.

His mum and grandma said thank you for everything you have done – what a great feeling!”

Autumn 2014

>> LEGACIES

The 751 operations that took place on our Philippines trip are so much more than statistics. Each one represents hope for a child like Angelo. So it’s only right that we once again thank everyone who makes our work possible!

Angelo has suffered real heartache and fear, but his operation is giving him hope

s w e N e l i Sm

Plea our wese see the late bsite for and fo st news, on Facllow us and Twebook itter

Ride London

100 riders, 100 miles and almost £100k!

A huge thanks to our 100 cyclists who rode 100 miles in support of Operation Smile and raised almost £100,000!

The ride started out at the Olympic park, then wound

up through the Surrey hills before returning to London for a dramatic finish on the Mall. The money raised is enough for over 650 smiles – so well worth all those aches and pains!

We know, we know… it’s way too early to get the Christmas decorations out. But we hope you’ll forgive us for getting a little excited about our Carols

by Candlelight Christmas Concert – back for it’s sixth year in a row. After all, the last five concerts have raised enough to pay for over 1,200 operations – quite a Christmas gift, we hope you’ll agree!

Past concerts have attracted some fantastic celebrity readers including Barbabra Windsor, Bill Bailey, Rupert Penry-Jones and even Dr Who! (Or Peter Capaldi, if you prefer.)

Dates for this year are as follows: • Wednesday 10th December Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair, London W1 • Tuesday 16th December St Botolph without Bishopsgate, City of London EC2

Tickets sell out fast so head over to www. operationsmile.org. uk/carols or call 0844 581 1110 today.

This newsletter costs just 10p to print. Please share with friends or family, or leave at your doctor’s surgery for others to read.

Hello and welcome to Smile News – your latest newsletter from Operation Smile.

I’m thrilled and honoured to be the one who gets to introduce such fantastic news to you, the people who make it all possible.

You may already know that in June 2013, I had the privilege of joining the Operation Smile team on a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico.

Needless to say, the whole experience was breathtaking and I was completely overwhelmed by both the dedication of the team and the warmth of our welcome from the patients and local people.

This year, Operation Smile returned to Guadalajara and changed the lives of 110

more children. Once again, I was lucky enough to join the team and am proud to be able to introduce an update from that trip today – particularly the story of Dulce, who we were unable to operate on last time around.

So as you read today’s newsletter, I hope you feel incredibly proud of the commitment you’ve made to the children in Mexico and around the world whose lives you’ve changed through your generosity.

From everyone at Operation Smile and the children we work with, I can’t thank you enough.

Ju £150 ast 45 minnd a operat ute io chang n can child’s e a life

Duncan Bannatyne with Melany, who underwent her second procedure this June.

A wave of smiles in Mexico

Another hugely successful project in Guadalajara, thanks to supporters like you!

Evie Bannatyne with Dulce following her surgery in June

Another successful trip to Guadalajara in June this year saw us evaluate 236 children and perform life-changing operations on 110 babies and children

by partnering with a local hospital called Jalisco Institute of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

A fundraising appeal which launched in

Follow the Smiles and get real-time updates online!

February – along with a substantial gift from Duncan Bannatyne’s charitable trust – raised our target of £60,000 – enough to make the latest Mexico mission a resounding success.

However, there’s still lots of hard work to do if we’re going to perform all the lifechanging procedures we can.

Mexico has an estimated backlog of over 30,000 untreated cleft abnormalities, with approximately 1,500 babies being born each year with cleft lip or cleft palate problems. The incredible generosity of our supporters

has meant that we’ve been able to continue tackling that backlog and although there’s a long way to go, we once again left Mexico feeling that real progress has been made.

We were also able to revisit two children whose stories we shared with you in our February fundraising appeal – Melany and Dulce – and we’re delighted to be able to give you an update on both children with today’s newsletter. After all, your generosity has made their procedures possible, so thank you once again!

Experience the joy of a child’s transformtion by watching our YouTube videos. Get real-time updates on our Twitter feed @opsmileuk. Then share the smiles and spread the word on Facebook.

>> F IELD UPDATES - MEXICO, CHILDREN HELPED: 110

>> UPCOMING MISSIONS

A sweet smile for Dulce

Take a look at some upcoming Operation Smile projects around the world.

Dulce’s mother’s dreams were finally realised this time around

You may remember Dulce from our trip to Guadalajara back in June 2013 when our very generous supporter, Duncan Bannatyne, accompanied us on the project. Sadly, Dulce was simply not well enough to undergo surgery during that mission.

The health problems that affect poor communities in Mexico are wide-ranging and difficult to overcome, with limited access to quality healthcare. Dulce – probably as a result of her cleft palate – was particularly susceptible to bronchitis and suffers from asthma.

This was a huge blow for Dulce’s mother, Lisbeth, who had travelled 12 hours by coach to reach the Operation Smile mission in Guadalajara.

On our most recent trip, we were desperate to ensure that we could finally give Dulce the smile that her mother had always wanted to see. But the day before the surgery, Lisbeth again became concerned that Dulce had become ill and wouldn’t be able to undergo

the procedure.

However, you’ll be pleased to know that Dulce was cleared for surgery and has now had her cleft repaired. And guess who was able to witness the operation? A very happy Duncan Bannatyne!

More success for Melany Melany Candy had already undergone surgery to repair her cleft lip back in 2013 when she was just 11 months old. But despite a successful operation, she was still having difficulty eating due to a cleft palate, which requires a more complex procedure. This kind of surgery is simply not available to poor families like Melany’s in Mexico.

Thankfully, Melany’s screening gave us the all clear to operate and her surgery was booked in for the Thursday of our visit.

You’ll be pleased to know that Melany’s operation was a huge success and although she’ll need further check ups to ensure her recovery stays on track, she finally has the smile that her parents have always wanted to see.

What ng volunte erime means to

Upcoming mission: Mexico We’re due to return to Mexico this October, when we plan to operate on a further 125 children with the help of both international and local volunteers, in partnership with the Christus Muguerza Sur Hospital in Monterrey.

Mexico

China

Morocco Ethiopia

Maria, from Brazil This year we are running 3 projects in Brazil and are hoping to operate on 250 young children.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Paraguay

This year 150 medical missions were conducted by our international teams across 300 sites and 60 countries

Eric is a surgeon who recently volunteered at our mission in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“For a number of years before I retired from the NHS I thought about getting involved but was so busy with other commitments that couldn’t find the time.

Now I have more time and I do feel the work is really rewarding. In some countries I’ve been to, particularly in Africa, I get a

strong impression that if it was not for Operation Smile and similar charities these children (and in some cases adults) would simply not receive any surgery.

I also love the general feeling from all the local volunteers that they all want to help – a real feeling of everyone pulling together. That is something not often experienced these days.”

India

Vietnam

Madagascar

Brazil

Eric Freedlander – Surgeon

Juliet Hull – Anaesthetist Russia

Melany has now undergone two successful operations on her cleft lip and cleft palate

A huge thank you to Dulce’s surgeon, Tomas, and all the Operation Smile supporters who made this possible!

What ng volunte erius means to

Rwanda

15,327 free surgeries

6,548 postoperative dental procedures were carried out on children during 2014

were performed by our medical volunteers to provide new smiles to children worldwide this year

Alejandro, from Rwanda To follow up on the success of our last mission to one of Africa’s poorest countries, another visit is planned for 2014.

We have helped 13,238 babies and children worldwide with new smiles in 2014

66% of surgeries are

performed by local medical volunteers We work in 300 medical sites – including Rwanda and India

>> P ROGRAMMES

Investing in local skills In August 2012, Operation Smile UK saw the launch of the Anaesthetic Visiting Lecturer Programme in Jimma University, Ethiopia.

The programme is run in conjunction with Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex, (formerly Kent Surrey & Sussex Deanery).

The deanery allocated initial

funding to create a grant for their anaesthetic trainees to attend long-term placements in Jimma.

The primary focus of the programme is education, training and capacity building for the future. Ethiopia faces a severe shortage of anaesthetists and there are just 17 consultant

anaesthetists serving the whole country’s population of 93 million.

By comparison, about 5,500 consultant anaesthetists serve the UK’s population of 63 million. Outcomes of this programme have exceeded our expectations, including an 18% decrease in the ICU mortality at Jimma University

Hospital within the first six months of the programme.

This project is one of many progressive ideas that we’re implementing to help improve healthcare systems in the countries we operate in.

Anaesthetists from the South East are helping to improve healthcare in Jimma, Ethiopia

Juliet recently accompanied Operation Smile on a trip to Madagascar and is also due to join an upcoming mission to Vietnam.

“I chose to volunteer with Operation Smile because I feel it is a charity that prioritises quality and safety in their patient care.

On all missions communication is one of the biggest challenges. As an anaesthetist a significant part of my job is putting adults and children at ease as I give them their anaesthetics. I find that both the families and children can be significantly more scared than my UK patients so I try to spend a lot more time with them preoperatively, usually just playing. This helps me to build a rapport with them so when they come to my theatre they recognise me and are hopefully a lot less frightened.

I really look forward to meeting the children and their families – seeing the smiles on their faces after we have completed the surgery and knowing that Operation Smile has made a difference to their lives.”

Clive Duke – Anaesthetist Clive has carried out several missions with Operation Smile, including Brazil, Ghana, India, Madagascar and the Philippines.

He is also due to join us on our next mission to Vietnam.

“Operation Smile gives me a wonderful opportunity to help children around the world, to work within a highly trained and safe team, bringing first world medicine to the developing world.

There are always challenges when setting up and starting to use an operating theatre abroad but once we get going I feel safe and supported by the team in the best interests of the children.

I love it when 40 or so strangers come together with a shared goal, become an efficient team, work hard to change the lives of children less fortunate than our own and leave as friends. Being an Operation Smile volunteer is hugely rewarding and I am always grateful for the opportunity.”

A huge thank you to all our volunteers.

If you’re a fully trained medic and want to find out more about volunteering, please visit www.operationsmile.org.uk/ volunteer or call 0844 581 1110