Because every child deserves to smile
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because every child deserves to smile
Welcome
We, at Smile Foundation, are passionately committed Lend a Helping Hand
to making a difference in the lives of South African A countless number of children need your love and support.
Your donation will help our team of selfless surgeons perform
children living with treatable facial anomalies such as
life‑changing operations. It will help us provide equipment and
facial paralysis, cleft lip and cleft palate, craniofacial academic skills development to our participating hospitals and it
abnormalities, as well as ear, nose and hand conditions will also help us support the nurses and auxiliary service providers
and burn wounds. who give so much of their time to the children.
We are a non-profit organisation that brings people together to Donations
provide expert surgical intervention and pre and post operative You can help us by:
care for our beneficiaries. From our initial concept of ‘Smile
Weeks’ we have been able to extend our services to provide Donating online at : www.smilefoundation.co.za
ongoing operations and care all year round. SMS: “smile” to 38413 to donate R10
EFT: Bank: RMB Private Bank
Beyond the costs of the patient’s surgery and recovery, we also (select FNB to find RMB Private Bank)
invest in the infrastructure of the public healthcare system through Branch Code: 261251
the purchase of medical equipment, upgrading of existing facilities Account No: 62193026864
for the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Acc. Name: Donations Account
the sponsorship of academic skills programmes for surgeons,
nurses and other medical personnel. Join our Community
We would like to keep you up to date with the work we are doing
We proactively raise funds through corporate and private donors so please join our growing online community and help us spread
to achieve these goals. Our support extends beyond the child, the word that every South African child deserves to Smile.
family and hospital into the community where we promote an
understanding that children with facial anomalies and those who Smile Foundation SA
are burn victims can be helped. If you know of a child who we can @SmileFundSA
help please refer to our website or call 0861 A SMILE (276 453) Smile Foundation SA
“ Change
a child’s life
forever.
Donate a smile at:
www.smilefoundation.co.za
”
“ sms
“smile”
to 38413
to donate R10
”
You make the difference This booklet is a tribute to all those remarkably passionate and caring souls who choose to partner with us. We compliment every medical professional and administrator, every sponsor, donor and every volunteer who gives of themselves to facilitate the miracles that dramatically change the lives of parents and children. We are committed not only to supporting the rights of previously disadvantaged children, but indeed to ensuring that these rights are fulfilled. Any and every child deserves the opportunity to overcome their disfigurement and enjoy the pleasures of a normal and healthy childhood. Please take a moment, whilst looking through these memorable photographs, to reflect on just how natural and beautiful it is to be able to smile...and then think of those who cannot. Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey and please know that your contribution, in whatever way, matters. Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm. Marc Lubner Executive Chairman & Co-founder
We’re all about smiles Smile Foundation offers holistic support for any child, caregiver and family without medical aid during the hospital stay. We provide additional assistance to patients in need of transport for hospital visits; share educational information and arrange psychological counselling before, during and after surgery. By educating parents while their children are in hospital, they are able to share information with their communities and through word of mouth open up opportunities for many more children to receive the help they need. Our support also includes a skills programme to augment academic opportunities for medical staff who work with patients needing plastic and reconstructive surgery. Raising awareness and education are very important aspects of Smile Foundation’s vision. We continue to support the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and have experienced extraordinary growth. From partnering with one single hospital in Gauteng in 2000, we are now established in seven Academic Hospitals. I feel privileged to be part of such a dedicated team working towards changing children’s lives. A special thank you goes out to all of our wonderful donors, both corporates and individuals alike, whose generosity makes this all possible. I would also like to thank the medical teams in each of our partner hospitals, the support services, hospital administration and National Department of Health for your continued support. Together we are helping to create more smiles for the next generation of South African children. Moira Gerszt Operations Executive Director
“ Change
a child’s life
forever.
Donate a smile at:
www.smilefoundation.co.za
”
Where we began
Smile Foundation was established as a result of one
determined mother’s quest to give her child a smile.
Thando was born with a condition known as Moebius
“ “smile”
to 38413
sms
to donate R10
Syndrome which causes partial or complete facial paralysis.
”
She had never been able to smile. Her mother, Thabile, began
writing letters every month to former President Nelson
Mandela, asking for assistance. One day, fate intervened
and one of her letters found its way into Madiba’s personal
mail. Touched by her plea, he sought to help this little girl, and
contacted the Lubner family to assist.
At that time there were no surgeons in South Africa with the
surgical experience to perform such a complex procedure
Thando received her life-changing surgery and the Smile
and Thando would need to travel to the United States to
Fund was born. As a result of exceptional growth and
consult with specialists there.
success, the organisation became a registered Section 21
company in 2007 and was relaunched as Smile Foundation.
It soon became clear that sending one child overseas at
a time was not a sustainable model. Together with the
Nelson Mandela’s fervent wish for the organisation to
Independent Newspaper Group and a host of other sponsors,
assist as many children as possible who require facial
the Lubner family convinced world renowned specialists,
reconstructive surgery - and educate the public about the
Dr Ron Zucker and Dr Craig van der Kolk, to come to
stigma associated with facial anomalies - has become a
Johannesburg to train Prof. George Psaras to perform the
reality. Today over 1500 children have received these life-
intricate surgery, thus enabling him thereafter to help many
changing surgeries.
more children throughout South Africa.
1,500 Smiles later
With the selfless support of our hospitals, surgeons and medical personnel we have supported over 1,500
reconstructive surgeries since 2009. Smile Foundation’s presence has grown from working in a single Academic
Hospital to working actively, in 2015, in seven such hospitals. We are committed to expanding our efforts to
ensure that we are supporting many more Academic Hospitals around South Africa by 2020.
Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital
Universitas Academic Hospital
Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital
Tygerberg Academic Hospital
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital
2000 - 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2013 -20 17“ Change
a child’s life
forever.
Donate a smile at:
www.smilefoundation.co.za
”“ sms
“smile”
to 38413
to donate R10
”The right approach
After a few years of working in this field we All our parents receive counselling before and after their
surgery and are invited to join a monthly support group. This is
began to realise that children with facial anomalies
hugely beneficial to the healing process, allowing parents and
had also been badly hurt by social stigma. caregivers the chance to share their stories with others who have
had similar experiences within a safe, contained environment.
That’s why Smile Foundation’s holistic healthcare vision
includes ongoing psychological support to assist in
transforming the lives of these children, their families and
caregivers. This policy provides the best possible opportunities
for recovery and improves the general quality of their lives.
Children who suffer from facial anomalies encounter a
variety of challenges beyond looking different. It is critical
that they feel supported and cared for in order to develop
a healthy self-esteem and cope with the stigma related
to their condition. A child’s speech may be affected and
patients are therefore assessed by speech and hearing
therapists as well as occupational therapists.
Parents often experience shock, confusion, grief or guilt Family counselling
when the child is born. These emotional reactions, although
Surgery process
common, can impact on the wellbeing of the child -
Post-operative care
especially if the parents or caregivers do not receive support
Speech therapy
to work through their feelings.
Psychological services
Physiotherapy
Building self-esteemWhy I do what I do The work we do at Smile Foundation allows me to simultaneously do two things that are close to my heart - help children in need and use the tools of my profession. Since our Foundation was formed I am delighted to have watched it grow from strength to strength, helping hundreds of children annually. I look forward to the day when facial anomalies in children are a rare occurrence. I would also like to commend all my colleagues in the Academic Units in South Africa who continue to support Smile Foundation. Your surgical expertise makes a difference to the many South African children needing reconstructive surgery. Thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers wholeheartedly for their generosity. George Psaras Medical Director & Co-founder Our Mission Smile Foundation brings people together for the purpose of providing expert surgical intervention, creating greater social involvement & enabling sensible corporate social investment. Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of children living with anomalies.
“ sms
“smile”
to 38413
to donate R10
”Smile Weeks
Dedicated weeks of specialised surgeries changing
the lives of children one smile at a time.
A Smile Week involves mobilisation of operating theatres
and additional nurses and staff in an Academic Hospital for
A Smile Week is a comprehensive project whereby
a week. During this time, the Department of Plastic and
surgeons, doctors, nurses, anaesthetists, occupational
Reconstructive Surgery has the opportunity to operate on as
therapists, speech and hearing therapists, physiotherapists,
many children as possible and sometimes perform complex
psychologists, the Department of Health, sponsors, patrons
procedures.
and various individuals, work together.
This aids the hospital in reducing any backlog of patients
What makes a Smile Week so unique are the individuals
waiting for surgery. Each Smile Week can assist up to 45
who volunteer their services because they are moved by the
children, depending on the complexity of the cases, and time
opportunity to contribute and see immediate results.
required for each procedure.
Each Smile Week is sponsored by a headline donor. Branded
elements such as surgical scrubs, nurses’ gowns, t-shirts
and pyjamas create a vibrant and unified energy for the
duration of the Smile Week.
Once the surgeries are completed and all the little patients
are recovering, balloons, branded items, health snacks and
educational activities are the order of the day to create an
uplifting atmosphere to celebrate the week’s success.Surgeries offered
Although the main focus of Smile Foundation will sides. Although the lip and the palate develop separately, a cleft
lip is often linked with a cleft of the palate (internal cleft). This
always be on helping children suffering from facial
may cause problems when feeding the child, requiring medical
conditions, we have extended our services to include intervention. If untreated it may lead to poor speech development.
supporting plastic and reconstructive surgical It is always repairable, most often with excellent results.
procedures such as burns, ear conditions, craniofacial
Cleft Palate
abnormalities and even hands when required.
Developed during pregnancy, a cleft palate occurs when the
baby’s mouth doesn’t form correctly and a gap occurs in the roof
Facial Paralysis (Moebius Syndrome)
of the mouth. It is easily recognisable by looking inside the mouth
A condition in which a person is unable to move one or both sides
of the child. The gap may extend from the front teeth all the
of the face caused as a result of weakening or paralysis of the
way to the back of the throat and can occur in either the hard or
muscles in the face. This is usually present from birth, although
soft area of the palate. In some cases a child may suffer from
it can develop later in life from an external incident, such as an
both a cleft palate and cleft lip (external cleft). This condition
accident. In some cases a patient may experience incomplete
can be repaired surgically, allowing the child to swallow and
paralysis in which case they are unable to move only a part of
speak correctly.
the face, like the eyes or the mouth. Moebius Syndrome is always
present at birth and easily identifiable due to additional facial and
Craniofacial Conditions
other features and in most cases can be treated.
Craniosynostosis is a condition caused by the premature closing
of one or more of the sutures of bones in the skull. Children with
Cleft Lip
craniosynostosis may have an abnormal skull shape or forehead,
A cleft lip refers to the physical separation of the two sides of the
asymmetrical eyes and or ears, and may experience raised
upper lip that appears as a visible gap in the upper lip, varying in
intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull) which can cause
size depending on the severity of the condition. This occurs early
delays in development or permanent brain damage if not corrected.
on during pregnancy when there is not enough tissue formed
in the mouth or lip area and the available tissue fails to join
together properly. The lip can be affected on one side only or both“ Change
a child’s life
forever.
Donate a smile at:
www.smilefoundation.co.za
”“ sms
“smile”
to 38413
to donate R10
Ear Deformities
Microtia is a congenital deformity where the pinna (external
”
ear) is underdeveloped (microtia). A completely undeveloped
pinna is referred to as anotia. Microtia can be unilateral (one
side only) or bilateral (affecting both sides). Microtia occurs
in 1 out of 8 000 to 10 000 births. In unilateral microtia, the
right ear is most commonly affected. In most cases, surgery
is offered for this type of condition.
Burns
Burns are a common occurrence in South Africa due to
socio-economic circumstances. Living in shacks, paraffin
stoves and the use of candles can all cause fires. Burn cases
are very complex, require extensive treatment, prolonged
hospital stays, stringent infection control and considerable
reconstructive surgery. An advanced treatment method for
burn scars is the use of tissue expanders. Tissue expansion is
a relatively straightforward procedure that enables the body to
“grow” extra skin for use in reconstructing almost any part
of the body. A silicone balloon expander is inserted under the
skin near the area that needs to be repaired and then gradually
filled with salt water over time, causing the skin to stretch and
grow. The expander is subsequently removed and the excess
skin used to re-drape over the scarred area.Smiles of success!
Every year we assist many brave children with the gift of a brighter future. These pages are a
tribute to them and their families, our donors, and all those that help make a difference through Smile Foundation.
“Thank you to all for your ongoing support. Through
these partnerships, the impact we have on the lives
of the children we help, is beyond measure.”
“Smile Foundation could not change the
“Your assistance has provided for
lives of so many children without the help
so many children and their families,
of generous corporates, both large and
allowing them to focus almost entirely
small, as well as a number of individuals
on a full recovery and happy future.”
who assist to fund our cause.”“ Change
a child’s life
forever.
Donate a smile at:
www.smilefoundation.co.za
”Building a legacy
Smile Foundation celebrates having assisted over 1,500 children since inception in 2000.
Smile Foundation is an organisation dedicated to giving children the opportunity to smile,
both internally and externally. Partnering with the National Department of Health and the
Academic Hospitals we provide facial reconstructive surgery while simultaneously boosting
the confidence of these young people with psychological support and other auxiliary
“ sms
“smile”
to 38413
to donate R10
”
services.
This wonderful milestone has been made possible because of the generosity of both
corporates and individuals who step up to demonstrate that South Africans have huge
hearts and that the art of giving comes naturally to them.
With your support Smile Foundation can continue to assist even more children and you will
have the joy of knowing that you have made an investment that will
change the course of lives that last a lifetime.
These children are our future - let’s make them smile.
Hedley Lewis
Executive DirectorAcademic Programme Smile Foundation endeavours to enhance and improve the skills of the medical professionals working with hospitals to ensure that all patients receive the best possible treatment. Our official Academic Skills programme is aimed at ensuring sustainability and augmenting the existing skills base of the medical professionals that we work with in Academic Hospitals. This programme offers Plastic and Reconstructive surgery consultants and registrars the opportunity to attend conferences, workshops, and observe new surgical techniques. Consultants also have the opportunity to travel internationally to broaden their knowledge. Ward and theatre nurses are able to attend specialised training courses, such as pain and stress management programmes and workshops. They are also invited to attend Smile Weeks in other regions to gather additional skills and observe best practices. Clinical psychologists, speech and hearing therapists and occupational therapists who facilitate the support services that we offer are also given the chance to attend local symposiums, conferences and training programmes.
“ Change
a child’s life
forever.
Donate a smile at:
www.smilefoundation.co.za
”“ sms
“smile”
to 38413
to donate R10
”Infrastructure and
equipment
In its campaign to improve children’s lives, Smile Foundation also aims to raise
funds to upgrade facilities at our partner hospitals ensuring a sustainable and
lasting legacy through which others in need can access better care.
Over the years we have assisted with
the following projects:
Renovation of Ward 13 at Chris Hani Baragwanath
1 Academic Hospital (shown on right)
2
Building of a Burns Unit at Dr George Mukhari
Academic Hospital
Before
Investment in equipment for use by Departments of
3 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Refurbishment of Ward 275 at Charlotte
4 Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital After
Revamped the “Facing the Future Room” at Charlotte
5 Maxeke Johannesburg Academic HospitalPatrons & board members
Patrons
The Late Mr Nelson Mandela Mr FW de Klerk The Lubner Family
Chief Patron
Board Members
Mr Marc Lubner Prof. George Psaras Mr Gavin Koppel Mr Gidon Novick
Executive Chairman Medical Director & Co-Founder
& Co-Founder
Mrs Christina Playne Mrs Suzanne Mr Hedley Lewis Mrs Moira Gerszt
Ackerman-Berman“ Change
a child’s life
forever.
Donate a smile at:
www.smilefoundation.co.za
”be c le
a u se t o smi
every child deserves
Smile Foundation
0861 ASMILE (276 453)
Smile Foundation SA | @SmileFundSA | Smile Foundation SA
www.smilefoundation.co.za | info@smilefoundationsa.org
P.O. Box 652411, Benmore, 2010, Gauteng, South AfricaYou can also read
