THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 17, 1996 TAG: 9604170362
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DIANE TENNANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
Operation Smile, an international medical charity headquartered in Norfolk, hopes to begin working this fall with seven Hampton Roads school systems to find local children who need free facial surgery.
The local effort is the theme for this year's fund drive, which hopes to raise $150,000 in Hampton Roads.
This fall, Operation Smile hopes to have every local school system looking for children who need surgery such as removing birthmarks or repairing malformed ears and lips. The organization pairs children with surgeons and hospitals who will provide free treatment. Operation Smile has provided free treatment to about 3,000 people in Hampton Roads, but it is better known for its charity work in 12 developing countries, said Melissa DiBona, special projects adviser for Operation Smile.
So the focus this month, during the organization's annual fund-raising campaign, is on local work. At least a third of the money is projected to come from 150 school-based service groups called Happy Clubs.
The school identification program began in New York two years ago.
``You're not going to find the cleft lips and palates (in Hampton Roads) like you would in other countries, but you might find precancerous moles or port wine birthmarks,'' DiBona said. ``They aren't life-threatening, but they are tremendously devastating to kids trying to live a normal life.''
In New York, Polaroid donates cameras to local schools. Pictures of children who need surgery are forwarded to Operation Smile, which locates surgeons and hospitals willing to donate their services. The charity hopes to operate a similar program locally.
``There are kids who might not have insurance, or their insurance doesn't cover this or maybe the parents don't even realize it is a problem that can be fixed,'' DiBona said. ``There are cases we find that can definitely be changed for the better.''
Operation Smile was founded in 1982 by plastic surgeon Bill Magee and his wife, Kathy. Volunteers have treated 17,500 people around the world, and 20,000 more in the United States, said Jan Hensley, director of development. The charity operates a free dental clinic in Park Place and recently opened an eye clinic.
In addition to sending surgical teams around the world, the organization brings foreign doctors to Norfolk for training. Thirty-five such doctors will begin training here on May 2, DiBona said.
The most recent mission to the Philippines saw 837 children treated at four locations over five days. Of 40 plastic surgeons in the islands, 26 volunteered their services during the mission, Hensley said.
Locally, Happy Clubs raise funds for the organization and send schoolchildren on mission trips to foreign countries. While there, local children help educate foreign children and their parents on nutrition and other basic skills. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
ABOUT THE CHARITY
Operation Smile was founded in 1982 by plastic surgeon Bill Magee
and his wife, Kathy.
Volunteers have treated 17,500 people around the world, and
20,000 more in the United States.
The charity operates a free dental clinic in Park Place and
recently opened an eye clinic.
Graphic
TO DONATE
Donations may be sent to:
Operation Smile 1996 Fundraising Campaign, 717 Boush St.,
Norfolk, Va. 23510. Call 625-0375 to volunteer.
KEYWORDS: OPERATION SMILE by CNB