Over 240 children have received surgeries from Smile Foundation this year
HYDE PARK – Covid-19 still affects the foundation’s ability to perform surgeries due to safety restrictions.
The core belief of the Smile Foundation is to help every child who needs surgical assistance by equipping them and their families to succeed in life.
“Covid still affects our ability to do surgeries, with the access restrictions in all the hospitals. Everyone has been affected in some way yet we face these obstacles head-on knowing that the end goal is to help the children,” said Kim Robertson Smith, general manager at Smile Foundation.
She explained that through the collaboration of donors, surgeons and hospitals, over 240 children have received surgeries this year. Additional services provided are speech therapy, psychological services and occupational therapy.
Smith added that there is a Smile Week which involves a multidisciplinary team of surgical support staff in an academic hospital for an entire week. She said during this time, the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has the opportunity to operate on as many children as possible, sometimes needing to perform complex procedures.
“This year we also assisted with the renovation of the second phase of the burns unit at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, the only tertiary hospital for plastic surgery and burn treatment in the Northern Cape.
“2022 is going to be a very exciting year for Smile Foundation as we are launching our new logo and brand blueprint, new projects and ‘out of this world’ campaigns with the mission to transform the lives of children affected by facial abnormalities and severe burns through the best possible surgical and psychological care.”
The Smile Foundation wish list includes:
- Referral of children needing assistance
- Donations to www.smilefoundation.co.za
- Nine televisions for the new burn unit
- Children’s Books
- Art supplies
- Building Blocks
- Pyjamas
- Stationery
- Dollhouses
- Educational toys
Smith concluded, “May your festive season be a magical one and your new year be filled with good health, prosperity and happiness from all at Smile Foundation.”
Details: To donate to the Smile Foundation, visit www.smilefoundationsa.org
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