Originally published on devdiscourse.com.
Style for Smiles is a charitable initiative started by Bryn Carden, a young entrepreneur, and philanthropist with a deep sense of compassion and the desire to help make the world a better place. The initiative aims to raise funds for Smile Train, an international children's charity that provides free cleft repair surgery to children in over 85 developing countries. Every purchase made through Style for Smiles directly contributes to Smile Train's mission of giving children with clefts the care they need to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
The Importance of Smile Train's Work
Clefts occur when certain body parts and structures do not fuse together during fetal development, which can cause difficulties in eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. Many children with clefts will never receive the reconstructive surgery they need in some parts of the world. Smile Train addresses this issue by providing free cleft repair surgeries to children in need.
Understanding Clefts: Causes and Incidence
According to experts, approximately one in 700 babies worldwide is born with a cleft lip and/or palate. However, the incidence of clefts varies among different ethnic groups, with Asians having the highest incidence at approximately 1 in 500 births, Caucasians having an average incidence of 1 in 700 births, and individuals of African descent having the lowest incidence at around 1 in 1,200 births.
The Challenges of Untreated Clefts
Children with untreated clefts face significant physical difficulties with eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. These challenges can have long-lasting effects on their development and quality of life. Fortunately, cleft treatment can alleviate many of these difficulties, enabling children to thrive.
Reconstructive Surgery for Clefts: Advances and Impact
Reconstructive surgery for clefts has evolved significantly over the past 50 years, with techniques and procedures that are safe and effective. Smile Train's surgeries have an immediate impact, providing children with a new smile that can change their life forever. The surgery improves their appearance and allows them to eat, breathe, and speak normally.
Smile Train's Sustainable Model for Cleft Care
Smile Train is the world's largest cleft-focused organization, with a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential care. Smile Train supports local medical professionals and hospitals in over 70 countries, enabling them to provide life-changing, high-quality care to children with clefts. Beyond surgery, Smile Train's local partners also provide speech therapy, psychological support, nutritional services, orthodontics, and other essential forms of care to ensure that children with clefts have everything they need to thrive.
Supporting Medical Professionals and Essential Forms of Care
Through Smile Train, supporters can sustain world-class training programs that empower medical professionals in 70+ countries to treat cleft patients with life-changing, high-quality care. Donations made to Smile Train enable the organization to support local medical professionals and hospitals, helping build up healthcare infrastructure worldwide while providing care 365 days a year.
How to Get Involved: Ordering Bracelets and Making Donations
To support Smile Train through Style for Smiles, individuals can purchase bracelets for $10 each, with 100% of the proceeds donated directly to Smile Train. Buyers can Venmo Bryn Carden with the bracelet number(s) they want to order and specify if they wish to purchase add-ons such as gold beads, evil eyes, or name charms. Other payment options, such as cash, checks, and PayPal, are available. 100% of the proceeds from your purchase are donated straight to the Smile Train Organization. Donations of any amount are also welcomed.
Making a Difference in Children's Lives
By purchasing a bracelet from Style For Smiles, you can significantly impact the life of a child in need. With just $250 and 45 minutes, Smile Train can change a child's life forever, enabling them to eat, breathe, hear, and speak without difficulty. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and Smile Train's sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other essential care makes that a reality for 1.5+ million children worldwide. So, please do your part and order a bracelet from Style For Smiles today to help Smile Train in their mission to ensure that every child in need with a cleft has access to the care they deserve.
About Bryn Carden
Bryn Carden is a college entrepreneur and the founder of Style For Smiles. She is a passionate advocate for Smile Train and its mission to provide free cleft repair surgeries to children in developing countries. Bryn has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for Smile Train, and her efforts have already significantly impacted the lives of many children in need. She is a dedicated philanthropist who believes in the power of giving back to the community and making a positive difference in the world.