Uplifting Quotes
For all the children whose lives you have helped transform, the WCF would like to honor you – our supporters worldwide who are leading the way in accepting individuals with facial differences.
You have embraced our children, so they are not victims of social discrimination and isolation. You are their advocate, so they do not go without life-saving, medical treatment no matter who they are or where they live. You are their voice, spreading the word and encouraging others to heal children with craniofacial abnormalities just as you have done.
Please contact us, and let us know why you support the WCF.
Quotes from Supporters
The World Craniofacial Foundation gives children a new confidence and lease on life. It is important to me because I grew up in rural southern Texas where people are treated less than standard even by public educators. More sensitive people realize that there is a spirit, personality, and feelings beyond outward appearance. I love running the 5K for a cause that will be able to touch a life indirectly.
- Mindi Martin, Mesquite, TX
My son was born in 2000 with Craniosynostosis. He has had surgery twice. His last surgery was with Dr. Salyer and I loved what he is doing for children around the world. I love the fact that children with no financial means have a way to have this surgery. That is why I support the foundation.
- Rae Greenwalt, Mt. Vernon, IL
My son had craniosynostosis. I found WCF when researching his condition. I love everything you do for the kids and parents with craniofacial disorders.
- Kyla
As a long time benevolent overseas cleft surgeon, I think that all input is valuable and that trained surgeons from various specialties should unite to try to cope with the huge and endless backlog of non-operated indigent patients. Given the appropriate training an oral or an ENT surgeon can do just as well as a plastic surgeon in all aspects of cleft surgery. This has since long been understood in countries like Japan, China, India, etc.
- Etienne Piette, MD, DDS, PhD, Belgium
Our delightful 8-year-old grandson, Brant, was born with hemifacial microsomia with microtia. Fortunately, he lives near a great medical facility with wonderful doctors and insurance covers a large portion of the cost of his treatment. Many children and their families are not as fortunate. I feel every child should be given the opportunity for treatment and as normal a life as possible regardless of their situation. WCF is the means by which I can in a small way help make that happen.
- Marjorie, Plano, TX
When our daughter passed away, we desperately wanted to do some kind of fundraising for children who had similar to conditions to our daughter. At the time I was a member of an online forum for children with craniofacial disorders and another member suggested I looked at the WCF website – I did and I knew we had found the charity we had been looking for.
- Joanne Rees, South Wales, UK
I support WCF because of its concept of providing the best care possible for children with craniofacial deformities. I have been involved in the treatment and care of cleft children all of my professional life as a plastic surgeon. WCF upholds the concept that children of all races and economic level deserve the best care regardless of circumstances. It also stresses the importance of education and empowering the indigenous doctors to care for their own children. It is therefore involved in establishing centers of excellence in other countries. In simple terms it is concerned about the physical, about the social, mental and spiritual dimensions in caring for children with clefts.
- M. Samuel Noordhoff M.D.
Our support for the WCF is based on many factors. Two of the leading factors are: 1) The needs of children around the world for the new technologies and procedures beyond their means, and 2) the outstanding leadership and passion of Dr. Ken Salyer.
- Dane and Mary Louise Miller
Our youngest son, Jonah, was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Dr. Barceló and Dr. Sperry have been wonderful to us and now our little Jonah is more than perfect than he was on the day he was born.
- Veronica Hurtado
I feel it is important to have a centralized organization with knowledge and experience in the treatment of craniofacial deformities. This is also a venue for communication between patients and surgeons.
- Craig R. Dufresne, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.I.C.S.
I support WCF, because they have helped me and my family. I have a son born who was born with Jackson-Weiss syndrome and whenever I have needed help either financially or with information WCF has been there. WCF is an awesome organization that helps so many families in so many ways. I’m very thankful that WCF is there for not just my family, but every family with a special needs child.
- Donise M., Oklahoma
Cleft and craniofacial surgery for children and families who have nowhere else to turn to is of course challenging, fulfilling, and provides a kind of job satisfaction that nothing else can – but more than all of this, it is humbling and gives my professional and personal life a perspective and dimension that reminds me constantly that the more I do, the more I have to learn. This fascination has not faded in all the years I’ve been doing this, and it remains constantly engaging and interesting!
- Paresh Devani, Nairobi, Kenya
I want to help children grow into confident adults – unfortunately in today’s world ‘looks’ matter – anything I can do to change that perception is what I want to do. These children need inter-strength to survive and lead productive, happy lives. I want them to love and be loved; I want them to be happy, smiling young people who ‘matter’ – all children deserve happiness and to be loved!
- Diane Caryl, Colleyville, TX
My granddaughter was born with Treacher-Collins Syndrome. Anything to help her and any other person born with this or a similar condition is the least I can do. Life will be hard enough but hopefully each little contribution will help everyone.
- Tommy
I support WCF because it has helped my family when we were there for my daughter’s surgery. WCF is important because they are helping kids in need which is very kind of them.
- Pol from the Philippines Dad to Angel with Aperts
- To help poor boys with clefts
- To give chance on the life at these poor boys
- To fight indigenous traditions
- To share experiences with other colleagues
- Emmanuel from Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire
I have supported WCF since the conjoined twins’ stories from Egypt. I feel it is important to give children a chance to overcome these birth defects.
- Chriss, Landenberg, PA
I am a cleft-affected adult, and I have a cleft-affected child. I feel it is important to not only help others attain their dreams of acceptance, but it is important to educate the public about craniofacial disorders and facial differences. My child’s survival in the world depends on it.
- Laura A., Pittsburgh, PA
I had cancer at the base of my tongue 15 years ago. My jaw was cut so it could be swung aside for access to the cancer, and my face along with it. Post op, I looked as though I’d been in a horrible accident. I see the children needing surgery and remember the stares I received, and how it feels to be stared at. I am also a mirror-image twin, and aware that if separation had occurred just a day later, we would have been conjoined. “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” I relate to them.
- Joyce Tomanek, Clarkesville, GA
Very well said, “help hope healing,” that is the basic reason I too support the WCF. Also I look forward to learn new techniques for the cleft lip & palate. Also to keep myself updated with the latest. And lastly to implement it in my own country and to give the people the best I can. Also to discuss about the craniofacial surgical techniques.
- Jain Harsh, INDIA
Initially, I was looking for an organization that needed volunteers. I was in search of a goal of 100 volunteer hours during 2008, and I was just looking for organizations that could help me as much as I helped them. Once I became involved with WCF, and learned what they did and the cause I was supporting, I was very impressed and it made me want to help even more.
- Anonymous
It’s important because lives are changed because of WCF. Without WCF a person would not have the opportunity for a normal life. It’s always a pleasure to work with individuals who are willing to get up at the crack of dawn to assist towards this goal – but it’s even more wonderful to see the smile on the face of a person who has been helped. I’m so thankful for the medical personnel who perform the miracles. I contribute so little with my time and heart. I am so thankful for the technology.
- Vera P., Lewisville, TX
Because my son was born with Apert Syndrome and was Dr. Salyer’s patient for many years. We understand first-hand how important it is to fundraise so that other children around the world can get the medical care that they need and to become socially accepted and feel good about themselves.
- Brenda, Houston, TX
As a parent of a child born with a craniofacial deformity I feel it is so important to show the children and their families that there are people who care about what is happening to them. They need to know the world is a kind, gentle place. My family has been very blessed by the care my daughter receives. The foundation understands what each and every family is experiencing and they make sure everyone has what they need to get through their difficult time.
- Anonymous, Arlington, TX
I fractured my skull in a road traffic accident and received a titanium cranioplasty. I want to make sure others who need similar head and/or facial surgery can get access to the right support and medical services.
- Kevin Hutchinson
The children of the world are important to all of us. I give thanks that our American doctors can make a difference in the lives of so many children. Your work deserves the support of all of us who can give to your causes. It gives me an opportunity to give back to others in an area where I cannot personally serve by direct contact.
- Dee Duhe
The stories have touched me. I just want to help in any way I can to assist WCF help others in need of medical assistance or a chance at a ‘normal’ life.
- Lisa J., Orange County, CA
I support the World Craniofacial Foundation because it’s responsible for performing miracles. While serving in the Armed Forces I saw children in poverty stricken regions across the globe including Iraq where resources to manage the types of challenges that many children suffer are not available. I’m limited in what I can contribute physically. However, I’m deeply moved by what this organization does and that I’m blessed enough to have the opportunity to give of myself monetarily.
- Joseph Senkovich III
I support the World Craniofacial Foundation because I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to go through life with “craniofacial abnormalities” in a society that identifies so strongly with form. It is important to me because it is so important to the children who are ostracized daily, and we are all interconnected.
- Dave G., New York, NY
We came to know WCF because our daughter, born with a cleft lip and palate, gets treatment at ICI. We have great respect for her doctors and we have met many people in the waiting room with more serious craniofacial issues. We know firsthand how expensive surgeries are, and we consider this a very worthy cause.
- Anonymous
As president of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association I am glad to support the WCF. Our membership has an appreciation for your association and the work you do to assist your members! As president of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association I am glad to support the WCF. Our membership has an appreciation for your association and the work you do to assist your members!
- Karrie, Helena MT
No child should ever have to live with a “deformity”.
If it is fixable – then it should be fixed – without any consideration as to cost.
The people that donate their talents and services are wonderful. I just want to help.
- Barbara (Deebee) Mazza, Coral Springs, FL USA
Our daughter was born with a cleft palate and we were extremely fortunate to have Dr. Salyer and his team repaired her palate. Everyone there was so caring and made us extremely comfortable with the procedures. Every time we visited Dr. Salyer, we were touched with the care and help that was given to so many children with many varying situations. The more we learned about the work that was done with children in third world countries the more we felt compelled to help in any way we can.
- Brian and Hope Evans and Family
