Locals join yoga session at Wanderers to bring smiles to children
ILLOVO – Acting CEO of the Smile Foundation Moira Gerszt said the fundraiser was aimed to assist hospitals in dealing with the backlog of patients in need of corrective and reconstructive facial surgeries.
Community members supported the Smile Foundation through a relaxing yoga session at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium in Illovo on Youth Day (16 June).
The yoga class, which was run by Planet Fitness instructor Sean Beautement, saw a small group of women enjoy a tranquil time out in the sun reconnecting with their bodies.
Acting CEO of the Smile Foundation Moira Gerszt said the fundraiser was aimed to assist hospitals in dealing with the backlog of patients in need of corrective and reconstructive facial surgeries.
The foundation works to assist children who suffer from treatable facial anomalies including cleft lip and palate, burn victims, children with Moebius syndrome and other conditions.
“With lockdown, there are now backlogs in almost every hospital and surgeries have been pushed back, unless they affect the child’s functioning, for example, a cleft lip may result in an inability to suckle,” said Gerszt.
She explained that she knows of a hospital with 90 patients on the backlog.
Gerszt said that she was thankful for the people who joined the day or donated to the cause. “This is an opportunity to give more children a face that looks similar to their peers and an opportunity to be part of their community and no longer be shunned because of their looks.”
To donate to more surgeries that assist children, visit www.smilefoundationsa.org
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