Smile Train Supports More Than 60,000 Cleft Surgeries in the Philippines Information about FREE cleft surgeries in the Philippines now available online

NEW YORK – July 23, 2020 – Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft organization, has supported more than 60,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines since its first program opened in 2001.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Smile Train partner hospitals globally, including those in the Philippines, have temporarily suspended cleft surgeries. As of July, Smile Train is beginning to see a slow increase in surgeries being resumed in regions where operations can be supported safely.

Prior to COVID, Smile Train supported greater than 4,500 surgeries each year through 122 hospital partners in the Philippines. A critical resource for Filipinos to find FREE treatment resources, updated news, and profiles of those that have been treated – and even a way to donate to fund surgeries in the Philippines can be found at Smiletrain.ph.

Smile Train’s vision is to give every person in the Philippines with a cleft the opportunity for a healthy and productive life. Over the last 21 years, Smile Train has supported safe and quality cleft care for more than 1.5 million people around the world.

Follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/smiletrainphilippines.

### About Smile Train Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train’s sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.

SmileTrainPH Ambassador Catriona Gray with Smile Train beneficiary

SmileTrainPH Ambassador Marian Rivera with Smile Train beneficiary