Austin Smiles - The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation

Camp Amigo 2023 sign-up is open! Camp Amigo is an annual Austin Smiles event that brings together kids, teens and adults in Central Texas who were born with cleft lip and palate. Camp Amigo will be jam-packed this year with camp activities and lots of time to make new friends!

You can sign up here: http://ow.ly/IV9850M1abT

This past year has been one for the books - over 250 lives impacted by the mission of Austin Smiles! We just want to say how thankful we are for your support this year, and we wish you all the best as we enter a brand new year.

Having a child born with a cleft condition can be financially, emotionally and physically challenging for parents navigating the unique needs of cleft care. When you donate to Austin Smiles, you help provide funding that benefits the entire family.

With the help of people like you, Austin Smiles can support parents from their child's birth through adulthood - providing speech therapy, specialty feeding bottles, surgery care kits, advocacy/education, social and emotional programming and much more.

Support a family in need: https://austinsmiles.org/donate/

Camp Amigo 2023 sign-up is open! Camp Amigo is an annual Austin Smiles event that brings together kids, teens and adults in Central Texas who were born with cleft lip and palate. Camp Amigo will be jam-packed this year with camp activities and lots of time to make new friends!

You can sign up here: http://ow.ly/IV9850M1abT

You can give a gift to a patient on one of our medical mission trips!

Our next trip is to El Salvador, and we still need some goodies to bring for the patients and parents. Check out our Amazon Wishlist for some gifts that will ship directly to our office. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1XE1PRK1YZYBG?ref_=wl_share

Or make a monetary donation here: www.austinsmiles.org

COVID Tests are needed! Please consider donating any extra Rapid/Antigen tests to Austin Smiles. We want to collect about 50 tests before our February El Salvador trip to triage our patients and keep them safe.

Donations can be brought to the Austin Smiles office - please email [email protected] to set up a donation time!

This holiday season, we are extra grateful for those who have made 36 years of life-changing mission work possible in Central Texas and Latin America. Many children, adults and families have been given the gift of hope, light and a future with the work of the Austin Smiles team.

Today we thank all of the Austin Smiles Family, present and past, and we send best wishes for the holidays and New Year. May 2023 bring lots of new smiles and beginnings for children in need.

Happy Holidays!

Love. Happiness. Peace. May these be your gifts this holiday season.

Happy Holidays! - From the Austin Smiles Team

Children born with a cleft lip or palate often face one or more of these health problems: feeding/eating/swallowing disorders, failure to thrive, delayed or disordered speech and language, breathing and hearing difficulties, chronic ear infections and dental problems.

Cleft treatment and intervention should be started as early as possible, with a proper surgical treatment plan and wraparound care into adulthood; a child should be able to restore normal function and live a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.

Learn how you can help support a child in need this Holiday Season: https://austinsmiles.org/volunteer/sponsor-a-child/

Austin Smiles team is heading to San Salvador, El Salvador, in February! We will provide surgical, speech, dental, and ENT services during this trip. You can donate toward the mission here: http://ow.ly/wnNL50M1hcC

Austin Smiles Giving Society provides sustainable funding for our program and mission in Texas and Latin America. Allowing us to create smiles and improve lives for decades to come. You can learn more about Austin Smiles Giving Society on our website under Ways to Give.

Thank you to all of our Giving Society Members!
Jamie Barshop
Dr. Pat & Margene Beckham
Dr. Carolyn Biebas
Dr. Ross Blagg & Dr. Jordan Staples
Russell & Jennifer Brown
Dr. Lauren Crawford & Richard Trepanier
Dr. James & Gayle Cullington
Kevin & Diane Daley
Jay & Luci Doyle
Winston & Janet Eaddy
Patrice Emrie
Dr. Sarah Frommer
Dr. Bill & Nancy Gorman
Nancy J. Hargrove
Thaddeus & Michelle Jones
Camilo & Maria Kawas
Casey & Emily Kelley
Jan Johnson & Kristina Kennedy
Dr. Mahlon & Ashley Kerr
Scott D Lamontagne
David & Emily Landry
Jim & Jane Lockart
Michael & Renee Hanson Malone
Mark & Tracie Monroe Foundation
Cynthia Murchison
Jessica Ortiz
Mary Jane Parker
Curt & Tiffanie Roberts
Gretchen & Jody Seal
Veronica & Steve Segura
Roger Jr. & Kaye Schuler
Breanna Sweeney
Beau Theriot
Edmundo & Andrea Toro
Andy & Erin Warner
Kathyrn Weafer

Photos from Austin Smiles - The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation's post

In 2023, we are expanding our medical mission trips, which requires increasing our volunteer capacity! Medical volunteers receive an opportunity to make an impact in the world and receive educational training and leadership opportunities for specialized cleft care across various medical occupations. We are currently seeking: surgeons, anesthesiologists, CRNAs, scrub techs, and nurses.
Interested in becoming a medical mission volunteer?
Click here: http://ow.ly/XYIz50M1fJZ

Austin Smiles team has provided hope for children and adults for 36 years. Giving them a chance at a healthy, happy and inclusive life. That is something to celebrate!

COVID Tests are needed! Please consider donating any extra Rapid/Antigen tests to Austin Smiles. We want to collect about 50 tests before our February El Salvador trip to triage our patients and keep them safe.

Donations can be brought to the Austin Smiles office - please email [email protected] to set up a donation time!

1 in 700 children is born with cleft lip and palate, and every one of them deserves quality, safe and comprehensive surgical care into adulthood.

Give the gift of a smile: https://austinsmiles.org/donate/

A child born with a cleft lip and palate often need surgeries throughout their adolescence as they grow. Some children can have dozens of surgeries by the time they reach adulthood. Austin Smiles aims to provide patients in Latin America the same wraparound support & care as provided in the US. These services are necessary for a child to enter adulthood as a confident, happy, healthy individual.

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn

Learn how to get involved with Austin Smiles on our website by clicking on volunteer!

Camp Amigo 2023 sign-up is open! Camp Amigo is an annual Austin Smiles event that brings together kids, teens and adults in Central Texas who were born with cleft lip and palate. Camp Amigo will be jam-packed this year with camp activities and lots of time to make new friends!

You can sign up here: http://ow.ly/IV9850M1abT

We look forward to 2023, with three medical mission trips planned - El Salvador, Peru & Guatemala, and researching new medical mission trip locations. Many children are still waiting for life-changing primary cleft surgeries and follow-up care. Learn how you can be a part of this care: http://ow.ly/vUg950M19sx

Here are some cute pictures from our recent Holiday Party with our Central Texas Cleft Community! We had stations for ornament making, cookie decorating, bingo, face painting, guessing games, elf names, and homemade luminaries. Thank you to our incredible volunteers and Global Public Health Interns for making such a fun day possible. Close to 100 kids and families in attendance.



Face Painter: Big Smiles Face Painting
Photobooth: Flash Party Photo Booth
Cookies: Uppercrust Bakery
Luminaries: Dr. Sarah Frommer
Venue: The Oasis on Lake Travis

Photos from Austin Smiles - The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation's post

This year, consider donating to Austin Smiles in honor of your friends and family. You will spread love twice as far by giving a life-changing surgery to a child in need and giving your loved one a meaningful gift. Give a gift today! http://ow.ly/GW6R50LXIyR

Do you want to give gifts to our patients this Holiday Season? Check out our Amazon Wishlist below to shop some of our Medical Mission Trip toys and supplies that help make life-changing surgical care less scary and more fun!

Show now: http://ow.ly/uewA50Hbtmg

Our team had a great time at the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons Conference this past weekend at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. It was incredible to see one of Austin Smiles founders, who was the distinguished speaker for this event, Dr. Jim Cullington, speak about his career and accomplishments. It was a good reminder of the heart of our mission and impact of service for the past 36 years!

Thank you to everyone who participated in and our Miles on a Mission United campaign! With your help, we reached our goal of 1,000,000 United Airline miles. These donated miles will help provide flights to nurses and other critical medical staff who will provide life-changing care in 2023!

Miles for Smiles this ! 😊

You can donate unused United Airline miles to Austin Smiles's life-changing mission. Donated miles will help cover travel for medical professionals to help transform the lives of more than 150 children annually! United Airlines is matching donations today, DOUBLING your impact for our patients

Would you help us get the last 200k miles we need to reach our goal? https://donate.mileageplus.com/Charity/Details/1440170

Today is - and we would like to share Andy's Story - just one of the children impacted by the generosity of Austin Smiles volunteers, donors and supporters this year.

During our trip to El Salvador, our group met 3-year-old Andy. Andy was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, as well as syndactyl toes and fingers. Andy and his mother, Yolanda, traveled for 3 hours to get to San Salvador in hopes of getting his surgery. Dr. Mahlon Kerr and Dr. Ross Blagg operated on Andy’s cleft lip and palate – about a 4-hour operation. His mother, Yolanda, said she felt nervous but hopeful and voiced that with this surgery, “Todo cambiará a partir de ahora,” meaning everything will change as of now. Andy is fully recovered and still his playful self; his mother says, "I am happy because in no other place would they have done this for him."

Sponsor a child today: http://ow.ly/T4SM50LF4wT

is tomorrow!
It is the time of year to remember the spirit of humanity and give back to others. “For you have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

How you can GIVE this year to Austin Smiles children and families:
You can donate on our website: https://austinsmiles.org/donate/
Or donate United Airline Miles here: https://donate.mileageplus.com/Charity/Details/1440170/Austin-Smiles

Austin Smiles

Miles for Smiles! We are just 240k miles short to meet our 1 million mile goal with United Miles on a Mission. If you have any unused United Airlines miles please consider donating to the link below by this Giving Tuesday! Miles raised will help us as we expand our mission abroad in 2023!

Austin Smiles Miles donated from Miles on a Mission will help Austin Smiles’ life-changing medical mission work in Latin America. Donated miles will help cover travel for staff and medical professionals to help transform the lives of more than 150 children annually. The children we serve, at no cost to their fa...

Interning with AS - Reeya P. -

"Today, more than ever, the influence and importance of public health are being recognized. I joined Austin Smiles to spread awareness of this importance while also being a part of the group of individuals that significantly impact global health today. After my time here, it was proven that Austin Smiles works hard daily to diminish health disparities worldwide." - Reeya Patel, AS Intern

Read more of Reeya's Blog: http://ow.ly/4Jxk50LGebh
Donate in honor of Reeya: http://ow.ly/4sRT50LGebf

Thank you, Reeya, for bringing your unique perspective and talent to Austin Smiles this semester!

Interning with AS - Reeya P. - Having the opportunity to intern with Austin Smiles has been such an amazing experience. I recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors of Science in Public Health. Currently, I am a graduate student at UTHealth School of Public Health pursuing a Masters in Public Healt...

"I had the pleasure of attending and volunteering at the 36th Annual Wish Upon a Smile Gala. I was in awe at the number of attendees who came and were a part of this organization and its mission. Every individual I socialized with spoke highly of Austin Smiles, Renee, Ellise and all the work they do to continue helping the cleft communities of Central Texas and Latin America. I love being a part of Austin Smiles and am excited for what their future holds!" - Sam Mendez, AS Intern

Donate in honor of Sam: http://ow.ly/qEQM50LGcxP
Read more of Sam's blog post: http://ow.ly/nHn150LGcxM

This Holiday Season, start a fundraiser on Austin Smile's behalf to share with friends and family! You can start a fundraiser on Facebook or email us to get started and we can help set one up! Also, consider donating unused United Airline miles by November 29th to help us meet our goal of 1,000,000 miles!

Let's share the mission of Austin Smiles.

Donate miles to Miles on a Mission with this link:
https://donate.mileageplus.com/Charity/Details/1440170

Learn about the other ways to donate by checking out our website:
https://austinsmiles.org/individual-giving/

"One day, I hope to work in healthcare and serve through medical missions. I feel so blessed by my internship experience and how it has allowed me to see all that goes into making medical mission work possible. I am so grateful to Austin Smiles for allowing me the opportunity to learn and grow and serve. And I am so very thankful for the work of Austin Smiles, both here in Central Texas and Latin America." - Miriam Daniel, Junior Global Public Health Intern

Read more of Miriam's Blog Post: https://austinsmiles.org/interning-with-as-junior-intern/
Donate in honor of Miriam: http://ow.ly/UPLc50LF27I

Photos from Austin Smiles - The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation's post

Want to give something more than money this ?

You can donate unused United Airline Miles to Austin Smiles! Miles donated will help Austin Smiles’ life-changing medical mission work in Latin America. Our mileage goal of 1,000,000 miles must be met by November 21st.

Lets get to giving! Miles on a mission link:
https://donate.mileageplus.com/Charity/Details/1440170

"Austin Smiles is such an inspiration to me. The way that Renee, Ellise and the other individuals take charge of this organization and make this all possible is something I will take away in hopes of putting it into my future. Austin Smiles and the Cleft Lip community are so welcoming and inspiring. I am blessed to have done my internship here at Austin Smiles!" - Georgia Quiroz, Austin Smiles Intern

Read more of Georgia's Blog Post: http://ow.ly/4hFL50LCSZv
Make a donation in honor of Georgia: http://ow.ly/QzB450LCSZw

"However, my favorite part of working with Austin Smiles was being able to help translate the interviews of the mothers conducted during the medical mission trips in Latin America. Many of these interviews are posted on the Austin Smiles Youtube page, which helps contextualize the journey these mothers go through to get their child a life-changing surgery. " - Naomi, Global Public Health Intern

Read more of Naomi's Blog Post here: http://ow.ly/RTjr50LBtp8
Make a donation in Naomi's honor: http://ow.ly/ZEBV50LBtp5

We need your help! You can donate your unused United Airlines Miles to Austin Smiles! Before November 21st - we need to raise 1,000,000 miles. Miles will be used to help pay for travel for some of our critical volunteers. Through Miles on a Mission, you can donate your miles to support our life-changing surgical care. Whether you have 1,000 miles or 1 million miles to give, every action counts, and your miles can make a world of difference.

Learn more: http://ow.ly/iQEi50LlYkq