Friday 7 October 2016 is World Smile day and to celebrate the wonderful day, Dr Pieter van Rooyen will be joining Shaun Peters and a few other members, on the Wines2Whales ride that takes place from 7 – 9 November 2016.
This ride is to raise awareness and funds for Operation Smile South Africa. Operation Smile South Africa focuses on children with Cleft lips and cleft palates. View their Facebook page here.
This is a much needed cause as:
- Every 3 minutes, a child somewhere in the world is born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, and are often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile.
- One in 10 of children born with a cleft will die before their first birthday.
- Approximately one in every 1000 babies in Africa is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate.
- Children with facial deformities who do not receive reconstructive surgery often have difficulty breathing, drinking, eating and speaking. As a result, many suffer from malnutrition, medical and psychological problems.
- Many children with untreated cleft lips and cleft palates develop permanent and significant hearing loss.
- A cleft lip or cleft palate operation and follow up care costs approximately R5500.
- In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life forever.
On 24 September 2016, Dr van Rooyen, Dr Ellis, Dr van der Walt and Marius Herholdt will take part in the 100 Miles4Smiles at the Cadence Cycling Performance Centre: Tyger Valley. Each team will need to ride 160kms on their ‘State of the Art’ Stationery Bikes.
Donations to help this cause, Smile Foundation are much needed and would be appreciated. View their website here.
Follow Smile Foundation on Facebook here to get all the latest news and updates of this amazing cause!
